Phytochemical constituents of the leaves of three bamboo (Poaceae) species in Ghana.

Abstract

Although herbivores feed on various plant parts (e.g. leaves), inherent phytochemicals present varying degrees of antagonism. Bamboo leaves have therapeutic and nutritional properties, making them a good source of fodder for livestock. To be sure of their safety or otherwise, phytochemical analysis was undertaken on three bamboo species (Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. ex J. C. Wendl., Bambusa ventricosa McClure, and Oxytenanthera abyssinica (A. Rich.). The leaves were tested in their wet and dry states. Leaves of all the species contained saponins, general glycosides, coumarins and cyanogenic glycosides. Those of B. ventricosa and O. abyssinica contained polyphenols and flavonoids as well. However, there were no alkaloids, carotenoids, triterpenoids and steroids, anthraquinones and anthracene glycosides in any of the species/varieties. Generally, air-drying of bamboo leaves does not affect presence of inherent phytochemicals and equally makes them suitable as hay just like fodder in the fresh succulent state. B. vulgaris is the safest of the three species analysed as it contained four classes of phytochemicals.