Comparison of the Proximate and Some Selected Phytochemicals Composition of Fluted Pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) Leaves and Pods

The leaves and pods of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) were analyzed for their proximate and some phytochemical compositions using standard methods. The results of proximate composition for fluted pumpkin leaves (FPL) and pods (FPP) indicated that carbohydrates, moisture, and crude fibers contents values were 51.41±0.60 and 63.91±1.02%, 85.70±0.66 and 91.21±0.3%, 15.05±0.37 and 22.05±1.47% for FPL and FPP, respectively. The crude fats, crude proteins, and ash contents were 6.67±037 and 3.57±0.81%, 22.97±0.66 and 12.47±0.66%, 10.12±0.31 and 5.74±0.5% for FPL and FPP, respectively. The crude proteins, crude fats and ash contents were higher in leaves in comparison with pods, while the pods showed higher levels of carbohydrates, crude fibers, and moisture contents. Results of phytochemical analysis showed that terpenes were the most abundant  of the three determined phytochemicals (terpenes, flavonoids, and phenols) in both leaves and pods (25.19±0.16 and 21.83±0.00 mg/g) while phenols had  the lowest value (0.68± 0.31 mg/g and 0.52±0.03 mg/g) for both FPL  and FPP, respectively. Therefore, Telfairia occidentalis may be considered as a rich source of carbohydrates, crude fibers and proteins as well as terpenes.