Abstract

The phytochemical and mineral composition of Acacia nilotica, Acacia mellifera, Acacia albidaand Acacia radiana were investigated. Both freshly expended and older leaves of the plant species were used for the analysis. Averagely, the phytochemical constituent of the plants are as follows: Tannins (0.18 to 0.21 mg ml^-1), phenols (0.03 to 1.01 mg ml^-1), saponins (0.11 to 0.23 mg ml^-1) and flavonoids (0.02 to 0.24 mg ml^-1). Alkaloids were found only in A. albida andA. radiana (0.04 to 0.06 mg ml^-1). The result also indicates that the leaves of the plant species contained in percentage, the following elements; phosphorous (0.50 to 1.04%), calcium (0.80 to 2.00%), magnesium (0.24 to 0.49%), potassium (1.05 to 1.54%), sodium (0.51 to 1.03%) and nitrogen (2.38 to 4.06%). The result obtained indicate that the leaves of the plant are good services of phytochemicals and minerals needed for maintaince of good health and can also be exploited in the manufacture of drugs.

Key words: Acacia species, leaves, phytochemical, mineral elements.