VARIATION IN SOME MINERALS PRESENT IN PARTS OF JATROPHA CURCAS USED IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE PRACTICE IN OKPARI TOWN, DELTA STATE

Abstract

The study was on evaluation of the variations in some minerals in the leaf, stem bark and root of Jatropha curcas. Standard analytical procedures were used in the study. Results from the analysis revealed that magnesium was present in the highest amount in the leaf (389 ± 0.33 mg/kg) followed by root (307.03 ± 0.79 mg/kg) and stem bark (203.75 ± 0.04 mg/kg). This
was followed by calcium which was present in highest amount in the root (99.23 ± 0.56 mg/kg) followed by stem bark (82.57 ± 0.76 mg/kg) and leaf (80 ± 0.82 mg/kg). The concentration of iron was highest in the leaf (13.13± 0.26 mg/kg) followed by the root with a mean value of 12.47 ± 0.45 mg/kg, and lastly the stem bark (10.33 ± 0.69 mg/kg). The contents of phosphorus in leaf and stem bark were 10.46 ± 0.12 mg/kg and 10. 14 ± 0.22 mg/kg respectively, while the root content was low with a value of 4.49 ± 0.03 mg/kg. There was however, no significant difference in the mean mineral composition of the various parts of J. curcas. The findings from this study justifies the use of this plant in traditional medicine practice and reveals its potential use as a nutritional supplement to combat various mineral deficiency related diseases. Increased domestication of this plant is recommended to ensure conservation for future use