Estimation of Vitamins in Aframomum melegueta [Roscoe] K. Schum and Its Relevance as Natural Immune Booster

The importance of sourcing products of natural origin in boosting immunity against infectious diseases during therapeutic interventions especially in developing countries has been underscored. The need therefore arose to investigate candidate sources within locally available flora based on identified ethno-practices in the region. The potentiality of Aframomum melegueta as a source of vitamins which are recognized immune boosters was investigated. Plant samples were collected from the wild near Akungba-Akoko, Ondo state, Nigeria and separated into Stem, Leaf sheath, Fruit pulp (mesocarp) and Seed parts. The samples were oven-dried, pulverized and extracted with methanol and filtered with Whatman No 1 filtered paper. The filtrates were concentrated in-vacuo using vacuum rotary evaporator at 40°C and was later concentrated to dryness in a ventilated oven at 40°C. Analyses of vitamin content of the samples were conducted using standard analytical methods. The plant displayed a rich array of Vitamins with the seeds having the highest concentration compared to the Stem, Leaf sheath, Fruit pulp (mesocarp) and Seed extracts. Values obtained for seed and stem extracts respectively were Vitamin C (16.8 mg/g, 5.85 mg/g), Vitamin B (1.15 mg/g, 0.41 mg/g), Vitamin B3 (0.98 mg/g, 0.30 mg/g), Vitamin E (0.75 mg/g, 0.11 mg/g), Vitamin B6 (0.03 mg/g, 0.006 mg/g), Vitamin B12 (4.22 mg/g, 0.50 mg/g), Vitamin A (1024.1 mg/g, 189.9 mg/g), Vitamin E (0.75 mg/g, 0.11 mg/g), Vitamin D (0.68 mg/g, 0.03 mg/g) and Vitamin K (0.017 mg/g,0.007 mg/g). Standard daily recommended intakes for each vitamin are vitamin C -75 mg, B2, 3, 6 and B12 ranges from 2 mg to 18 mg, A -600 µg, E -10 mg, D -5 µg, and vitamin K -80 µg. This study therefore elucidates the richness of Aframomum melegueta in essential vitamins and suggests its potential as an immune booster especially during the outbreaks of diseases. Direct consumption of the plant parts studied or as food supplement formula will be of benefit in the management of diseases.