1.1 Introduction
The plant Ocimum gratissimum is one of those plants widely known and used for both medicinal and nutritional purposes. It is a perennial plant that is widely distributed in the tropics of Africa and Asia. It belongs to the Family Labiatae and it is the most abundant of the genus Ocimum. The common names of the plant are Basil Fever plant or Tea bush and vernacular names include Daidoya tagida (Hausa), Nichonwu (Igbo), Tanmotswangiwawagi (Nupe) and Efinrin (Yoruba) (Abdullahi et al., 2003; Idris et al., 2011). The plant is cultivated mostly for the leaves and has been used extensively by ethno medicine practitioners for a variety of purposes. In coastal areas of Nigeria, the plant is used in the treatment of epilepsy (Efirin, 2009) and diarrhoea (Sofowara, 1993).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Ocimum gratissimum (Scent leaf) is plant species mainly found in the tropics and widely used as spices. Scent leaf is widely distributed in the tropics of Africa and Asia. It is a woody based perennial plant. It has an average height of 1-3 meters. The leaves are broad and narrowly ovate, usually 5-13cm long and 3-9cm wide. It is a scented shrub with lime-green fuzzy leaves (Efirin, 2009).
Medicinal plants are of great importance to the health of individual and the communities. The medicinal values of some plants lie in some chemical substances that produce definite physiological actions in the human body. The most important of these bioactive constituents are alkaloids, tannis, flavonoids and phenolic compounds. Many of these indigenous medicinal plants are used as spices and food plants (Okwu, 1999 & 2001). An Ethno botanical and ubiquitous plant serves as rich resources of natural drugs for research and development (Kong et al, 2008).
The plant is cultivated mostly for the leaves and has been used extensively by ethno medicine practitioners for a variety of purposes. In coastal areas of Nigeria, the plant is used in the treatment of epilepsy (Efirin, 2009; diarrhoea (Sofowara, 1993). The Igbos of southern Nigeria uses it in the management of the baby’s cord. It is believed to keep the baby’s cord and wound surface sterile (Efirin, 2009). Its major culinary function centres on its usefulness as a seasoning because of its pleasant aromatic flavour.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to determine the phytoconstituent essential elements, proximate and antimicrobial analysis of scent leaf extract.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that the increase in the consumption of western diets and neglect of our traditional foods has precipitated a corresponding increase in ill-health due to diet related non- communicable diseases. These diseases are of various forms; cancer, kidney and liver diseases, diabetes and many more. Prevention of these diseases based on new incidences of these diseases is imperative.
Currently, nutrients from plant based foods have promising solution (Ene-Obong, 2008). Vegetable based foods are advocated because of their high content of non-nutritive dietary components that are safer and more beneficial to man. Some of these vegetables contain antioxidants and phytochemicals.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to determine the phytoconstituent essential elements, proximate and antimicrobial analysis of scent leaf extract. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To determine the proximate composition of scent leaf extract
- To carry out antimicrobial analysis of scent leaf extract
- To examine the phytoconstituent essential elements of scent leaf extract
- To determine the nutrient and phytochemical potentials of scent leaf on dry weight basis.
- To carry out an elemental analysis and antimicrobial screening of the scent leaf sample.
1.5 Significance of Study
The results of this study would be a promising and useful tool to home makers on the increasing need to produce both cultivated and wild forest vegetable and consume them, especially the children and younger adults. Increase consumption of these vegetables might be the solution to the cases of micronutrient deficiencies worldwide and some chronic and deadly diseases such as cancers and other diseases and their complications, particularly in developing countries, Nigeria inclusive.
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.6 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the determine the phytoconstituent essential elements, proximate and antimicrobial analysis of scent leaf extract.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).
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