ABSTRACT
The  present  study  sought  to  undertake  the  phytochemical  analysis  (using  standard methods of analysis), proximate and mineral composition as well as in vitro antioxidant properties  (involving  inhibition  of  DPPH  and  reducing  power  ability)  of  aqueous  leaf extract  of  Telfairia  occidentalis consumed  in  Ekpoma,  Edo  state,  Nigeria.  The preliminary  phytochemical  analysis  showed  that  the leaf  of  T.  occidentalis contains flavonoids, tannins, saponins, alkaloids and phenolics. Quantitative analysis showed that phenol,  flavonoids,  tannins,  alkaloids  and  saponins  in  percentage  were  0.19±0.12, 7.12±0.50,  0.12±0.08,  1.03±0.24  and  7.01±0.30  respectively.  Result  on  proximate analysis  showed  89.01%  dry  matter,  10.99%  moisture content,  21.14%  crude  protein, 6.46% lipid, 11.56% crude fiber, 8.31%  Ash content, and 53.10 % carbohydrate. Result on  Mineral  composition  in  mg/100g  dry  matter  showed  Calcium  (61.03±0.04),  Sodium (51.49±1.32),  Iron  (25.75±1.65),  Zinc  (13.15±0.31),  Potassium  (801.21±0.45), Magnesium 85.11±1.22), Phosphorus (18.09±0.09), Manganese (21.27±0.32) and Copper (0.93±0.03). In vitro antioxidant scavenging activity using 2, 2-diphenyl 1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)  and  Ascorbic  as  standard  and  reducing  power ability  of  the  plant  extract  was found  to  be  concentration  dependent  with  maximum  inhibition  and  reducing  power ability  at  0.4mg/ml  which  were  69%  (lower  than  89% for  ascorbic  acid)  and  0.199 respectively. Our findings provide evidence that aqueous extract of Telfairia occidentalis is a potential source of natural antioxidants. The result of these findings also revealed that Telfairia occidentalis leaves are good source of carbohydrates and energy. The leaves are also a good source of minerals