Mineral and Proximate Composition of Emilia sonchifolia Leaves, Bridelia ferruginea Leaves, and Rhizophora racemosa Stem Bark

Abstract

Plant-derived remedies remain vital in global healthcare, prompting scientific evaluation of species like Emilia sonchifolia, Bridelia ferruginea, and Rhizophora racemosa for their nutritional and therapeutic potential.This study evaluated the mineral and proximate composition of Emilia sonchifolia leaves, Bridelia ferruginea leaves, and Rhizophora racemosa stem bark, with a view to establishing their nutritional relevance and supporting their ethnomedicinal applications. Plant materials were collected, authenticated, shade-dried, and pulverized prior to analyses. Standard analytical procedures were employed for proximate analysis, while mineral elements were quantified using atomic absorption spectrometry following acid digestion. Results revealed significant variations (p < 0.05) in the nutritional composition of the extracts. Emilia sonchifolia exhibited the highest moisture (81.25 ± 0.98%) and crude protein content (3.25 ± 0.18%), as well as the highest carbohydrate level (90.16 ± 1.14%). In contrast, Rhizophora racemosa demonstrated the highest crude fibre content (5.29 ± 0.04%), while Bridelia ferruginea showed relatively higher lipid content (0.97 ± 0.05%). Ash content was significantly greater in B. ferruginea (3.06 ± 0.05%) and R. racemosa (3.08 ± 0.11%) compared to E. sonchifolia, indicating higher mineral abundance in these species. Mineral analysis indicated that E. sonchifolia contained the highest levels of magnesium (130.02 ± 4.46 mg/100 g) and potassium (138.76 ± 1.18 mg/100 g), while R. racemosa had the highest calcium concentration (396.86 ± 7.68 mg/100 g). Bridelia ferruginea recorded the highest iron content (27.95 ± 1.50 mg/100 g). Zinc and sodium levels were relatively comparable across the three plant extracts. The findings demonstrate that these plant extracts possess appreciable nutritional and mineral profiles, with each species exhibiting distinct compositional strengths. Emilia sonchifolia appears nutritionally rich in macronutrients, while Bridelia ferruginea and Rhizophora racemosa are superior sources of essential minerals and dietary fibre. These results provide scientific support for their traditional use and highlight their potential applications in nutritional supplementation and phytopharmaceutical development.