[01] Nnenna E. Okoronkwo, Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria. [02] Kingsley A. Mbachu, Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria. [03] Ada B. Nnaji, Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria. [04] Okwuchukwu S. Igboanugo, Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria.

Leaves of Acalypha ciliata which serve for both medicinal and nutritive value were evaluated for their chemical and microbial activities. The results revealed that the leaves extracts contain alkaloid, tannins and saponins with alkaloid having the highest percentage composition of 9 ± 0.5%. The proximate analysis results revealed the presence of crude fiber (48.6 ± 0.1%), fat and oil (16.39 ± 0.01%), carbohydrate (17.39 ± 0.016). Ascorbic acid and thiamine occurred as the highest and least percentage vitamin respectively recorded. The minerals which were also present include Ca, Mg, P, Fe, Na, and K. The result of chloroform extract on GC/MS analysis showed nine peaks indicating the presence of nine compounds in the extracts. Compound 8, identified as phthalic acid with m/z 390, had the highest percentage composition with a value of 24.3%. The antimicrobial activity showed that only ethanol extracts exhibited activity against Salmonella, Candida and Proteus mirabilis but not against Bacillus. The hot water and cold water extracts showed no activity against the bacterial strains tested. The findings from this research justify some of the local applications of leave.

Bioactive Compounds, Mineral, Microbial Inhibition, Proximate, Vitamins

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