Evaluation of Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Potential in Edible Plant Leaves from Southern Nigeria

In recent times, there has been a growing interest in natural foods enriched with phenolic compounds and flavonoids due to their antioxidant properties. This study investigated the phenolic content of leaves from several plant species—Vernonia amygdalina, Mangifera indica, Dennettia tripetala, Azadirachta indica, Citrus sinensis, Chromolaena odorata, Anacardium occidentale, and Telfairia occidentalis—collected from southern Nigeria. Phenolic content was determined through absorbance readings at 750 nm using a spectrophotometer, with the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent facilitating the analysis. The findings highlighted that Mangifera indica contained the highest phenolic concentration of 31.49 mg/g gallic acid equivalent (GAE), demonstrating significant antioxidant potential. In contrast, the lowest concentration was observed in Dennettia tripetala, with a value of 3 mg/g GAE. These results suggest that edible leaves with elevated phenolic levels can serve as vital sources of natural antioxidants, which may help mitigate oxidative damage. Such plants hold potential for the development of nutraceuticals and therapeutic agents aimed at managing free radical-associated illnesses.