Leaves and peels of
pawpaw bought from open market within Port Harcourt metropolis were examined for
metals and qualitative phytochemical compositions with the intent or aim to
examine their phyto and ethno medical importance as agricultural waste
products. The metals examined in the leaves and peels of the pawpaw were;
manganese (Mn), potassium (K), sodium (Na), zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), calcium
(Ca), iron (Fe), arsenic (As), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and
selenium (Se). Their concentrations were in the order Fe > Mn > Zn >
Mg > K >Cu > Ca > Ni > Na > Pb> Ar = Se in the leaves,
while those of the peels were in the order Fe > Mn > Zn > Mg > Cu
> Ca > K > Ni = Na > Pb> Ar = Se. The results of heavy metals in
leaves and peels were not significantly different from each other, but were
slightly higher in the peels than the leaves. The phytochemicals examined in
the leaves and plants were flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, phenol,
terpenoids, tannins, carboxylic acids, quinones and xanthoproteins. The
phytochemicals detected in the aqueous extracts of the leaves and peels were;
flavonoids, alkaloids, phenolics, caboxylic acids and xanthoprotein, while
methanolics extracts showed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides,
phenolics, terpenoids and xanthoproteins. The presence of micronutrients and
phytochemicals in the pawpaw plant might be the reason for its utility in the
cure of different diseases and ailments.
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