Evaluation of Phytochemical, proximate analysis, mineral composition and polyphenolic contents of aqueous extract of (Ephedra (Alata) leaves

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the mineral, phytochemical constituents and nutritive worth of (leaf Ephedra )which grows in AL –Salman desert, south of Iraq. The nutritional properties and elemental values of this (medicinal plant) were evaluated by leaves aqueous extract that showed high amounts of proteins 12% and carbohydrates 41%, with low amounts of fats. The Results of the phyto-composition in mg/100 g ((DW)) revealed variable contents of TPC, TFC and (TAC )in Ephedra extract leaves obtaining a yield of (48.15±0.6,33.3±0.1,8.8±0.5) respectively. The mineral investigation indicated that this plant leaf has relatively high mineral content like (Cu, K, Ca, Zn, Fe, Mn,) and Mg. Therefore, the present results of phytochemistry, minerals and nutritional content in this promising herb plant promote the leaf's use as nutrition materials or as pharmaceutical supplements and for clinical treatments.