Nutritional Analysis of the Leaves Savanna Tea Plant: (Lippia multiflora) and Its Derivatives

The savanna tea plant is a wild aromatic plant with various beneficial properties. However, it has always been harvested only for its leaves. This study was conducted to contribute to the development of this plant. A survey was therefore carried out in five cities (Abidjan, Yamoussoukro, Toumodi, Bondoukou, and Katiola). The results identified various uses of the savanna tea plant, namely nutritional and medicinal, and described a traditional method for making herbal tea. Physicochemical and sensory analyses, as well as phytochemical screening, were performed on the leaves, herbal tea, and green tea. The results showed that the leaves, green teas, and herbal teas are low in lipids, total sugars, and reducing sugars, and rich in protein and ash. They are good sources of minerals, the major elements being potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Sensory evaluations indicate that the herbal teas and green teas are well-liked and do not change during one year of storage. The secondary metabolites identified in the leaves, teas, and herbal teas include polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins.