Evaluation of the Antinutrient Levels of Ceiba Pentandra Leaves

This work centers on the determination of the antinutritional compounds present in the leaf extract of Ceiba pentandra. Antinutrients like phytic acid, trypsin inhibitors, lectins, flavonoids, glycoalkaloids and exorphins in food materials interfere with the absorption of nutrients when ingested. Ceiba pentandra is a tropical tree of the order Malvales and of the family Malvaceae. The plant is normally found in the wild and the matured tree is among the tallest trees in the tropical forest regions. The qualitative phytochemical analysis of Ceiba pentandra revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, polyphenol, saponins and glycoside. The result shows the presence of some anti-nutrients like phenols (99.64±0.153mg/g) in a high amount while tannins (5.32±0.197mg/g), phytates (0.35±0.043mg/g), oxalates (0.086±0.023mg/g), cyanogenic glycoside (0.045±0.007mg/g) are relatively low. The presence of these anti-nutrients; cyanogenic glycoside, phenols, oxalates, phytates and tannins may reduce the digestibility of the nutrients in the plant. It is therefore advised that people who consume much of the leaves in their diet should make it safer by devising means of extracting off these antinutrients in order reduce the health hazards that are associated with them.