U. A. Essiett^1,, U. J. Ukpong¹

The stems of Ipomoea involucrata, Ipomoea triloba and Ipomoea batatas were screened for their phytochemical constituents, nutritional and antinutritional properties. The phytochemical evaluation of these plant species revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides and phlobatannins. Anthraquinones and terpenes were absent in the studied plants. Proximate analysis revealed that moisture content of these plants were 8%, 12.1% and 10% respectively. Total ash of 7.7%, 2.6% and 7.2% respectively. Crude fibre of 1.9%, 8.3% and 5.05 respectively. Crude protein of 10.5%, 4.20% and 9.4% respectively. Lipid of 8%, 7.48% and 4.65% respectively. Carbohydrate of 71.9%, 77.42% and 73.7% respectively. The caloric value of the species were 401.6 kcal, 393.8 kcal and 374.25 kcal respectively. The anti-nutrients for hydrogen cyanide were 0.146 mg/100 g, 0.038 mg/100 g and 0.103 mg/100 g respectively. Total oxalate of 88.00 mg/100 g, 114.40 mg/100 g and 96.80 mg/100 g respectively. Oxalate soluble of 52.80 mg/100 g, 70.40 mg/100 g and 66.00 mg/100 g respectively. Phytate of 1.95 mg/100 g, 0.02 mg/100 g and 1.25 mg/100 g respectively and tannins of 2.46 mg/100 g, 1.72 mg/100 g and 4.51 mg/100 g in I. involucrata, I. triloba and I. batatas respectively. The result of this research thus, verify that the stems of the studied plants possess bioactive and nutritional compounds which could be a good dietary menu in human nutrition and medicine.

Convolvulaceae, Ipomoea species, phytochemical screening, proximate