Biochemical Evaluation Of Avocado Pear Leaf (Persea Americana)

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background Information

Avocados (Persea Americana) were first cultivated in South Americanwith later migration to Mexico (Slater et al, 1988).

They were seen in the United State in the early 1800’s.

There are more than 80 varieties, with the “Hass” variety dominating the crop share, Avocados are loaded with nutrients such as dietary fiber, vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Potassium, Magnesium and folate. The leaves Contains anti-nutrients such as, hydrocyanide, oxalate, phytate and tannins. They are also rich in other nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, fibres, fat, moisture and ash and calories. They are cholesterol and sodium free (Smith et al, 2002). Avocados are large berry that contains a single large seed. They are Seasonal fruit and usually on a tall tree plant with green leaves and flowers during the pre-climatic period. They are commercially valuable and are cultivated in tropical and Mediterranean climates throughout the world. The fruits are green-skinned, fleshly bodies that may be Pear-shaped, egg-shaped, or spherical and may change colour when they are ripe depending on their varieties. For example; the Hass Avocado variety has a dark green-coloured, bumby skin, it is a large-sized fruit that becomes a dark purplish –black and yields to gentle pressure. When ready to serve, it becomes white-green in the middle part of the inner fruit.

Flowering

Three Climatic factors are considered to influence flowering and fruit set in avocados: 1) the occurrence of frost during the winter; 2) lowmean temperatures during flowering and fruit set; and 3) the occurrence of extreme high temperature during fruit set (Hodgson, 1947). Studies by Inuoe and Takahasi (1989) demonstrated that floral bud initiation occurs predominantly in November for the cultivars Zutano, Jalna and Fuerte which would partially explain why low winter temperatures would impact avocado flowering and fruit set. Sedgely (1977) demonstrated that low temperatures (<10c) during bloom can negatively affect flowering and fruit set. Temperatures exceeding 35c has also been shown to negatively influence flowering, fruit set and retention for Hass variety (Sedgely and Annells, 1981).

1.2 Statement of the Problem

In our society, people although do not consume Perseaamericana leaves and completely ignored herbal medicinal significance of this leaf.

1.3 Objective of the Study

The objective of this study is to investigate the medicinal effect of Perseaamericana leaves. For instance, it role as antioxidants, nutritional effect, as well as the anti-nutriment compositions. The avocado leaves can be use as extra for management and complete remedy for medical diseases such as; cancer, stroke, heart diseases etc.

1.4 Justification of the Study

This study is worth carrying out, as it plays a role in herbal medicine. Through this research, we can find different chemical evaluation on the Perseaamaricana leaves from a particular area.

For instance, the proximate composition of avocado leaves, the anti-nutrient and antioxidants composition of avocado pear from a particular geographical area.

1.5 Aim and Scope of the Study

The study covers chemical evaluation of Persea americana (avocado) leaves. The leaves where brought to the laboratory and chemical parameters where determined, which includes the moisture, ash content, crude fibre, crude fat, carbohydrate, protein, caloric, value, tannins determination, oxlates, phylate, hydrocyanide, vitamin A and Vitamin C determination.