Phytochemical analysis and uv absorptivity of extracts of Telfairia occidentalis, Celosia argentia and Amaranthus hybridus.

The aim of this study was to characterize and compare the qualitative and quantitative constituents of three different
leafy vegetables Telfairia occidentalis, Celosia argentea and Amaranthus hybridus commonly consumed in Nigeria,
West Africa. The secondary metabolites in the vegetables were assessed using standard phytochemical screening
methods and the active compounds were identified with Gas chromatography- mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and UVVisible
Spectrophotometry techniques. Pulverized dried leaves of the leafy vegetables were extracted using Soxhlet
apparatus with absolute concentration of ethanol and each concentrated plant extract was analyzed. The results of
the Gas Chromatography and Mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses provided different peaks that indicated the
presence of forty-three compounds in A. hybridus, forty T. occidentalis and thirty-six C. argentea. The plant extract
was scanned in the wavelength ranging from 200-600nm by using a UV-VIS spectrophotometer, the results showed
different peaks ranging from 410-435nm with different absorptions, respectively. Many of the compounds identified
to be present in these vegetables have been found to be beneficial to human health and may serve as an active
ingredient in the development of therapeutic drugs.