ABSTRACT
Basella rubra belongs to the family Basellaceae and commonly known as Malabar spinach, Indian spinach and locally known as Amuntutu by the Yorubas. The present study was aimed at investigating the proximate analysis, nutritive values and the phytochemical screening of Basella rubra leaf. The scientific techniques employed in this study are phytochemical screening and proximate analysis. Phytochemical examinations of the plant extracts revealed the presence of saponins, phenols, eugenols, alkaloids and flavonoids while glycosides, terpenoids, steroids and tannins were not detected in the samples extracted with water while, the samples extracted with ethanol indicated the presence of saponins, phenols, terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids and reducing sugar while glycosides, eugenols and tannins were not detected. The proximate analysis in % showed that the Basella rubra Linn had a high moisture content of approximately 93.41±0.45%, a relatively low ash content of about 0.367±0.634%, a moderate crude fat content of 23.73±0.774%, a minimal crude fiber content of approximately 9.081±0.1013%, a low crude protein content of around 2.45±0.081%, a substantial carbohydrate content of roughly 63.613±1.046% and a vitamin concentration of about 26.072±0.060%.This study shows that Basella rubra leaf contains moderate quantities of crude fat and a substantial carbohydrate content which helps with the transport and absorption of fatsoluble vitamins such as vitamins A,D,E and K in addition to providing energy for sustainable healthy living.
