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Chemical Composition of Xylopia aethiopica fruits

DOI:10.5455/ajpbp.20180521064020
Authors:
Chinedu Imo at Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria.
Chinedu Imo
  • Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria.
Ojochenemi E. Yakubu at Federal University Wukari
Ojochenemi E. Yakubu
Nkeiruka Glory Imo at Federal University Wukari, Nigeria.
Nkeiruka Glory Imo
  • Federal University Wukari, Nigeria.
Ifeoma Sandra Iyen at Federal University Wukari
Ifeoma Sandra Iyen
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Aim: Chemical composition of Xylopia aethiopica fruits was evaluated in this study. Materials and Methods: Xylopia aethiopica fruits were purchased as commonly sold at the new market in Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria. The fruits were sorted for healthy parts, air-dried, and pulverized using manual blender. The AOAC method and AAS were used for proximate and mineral analysis, respectively, while phytochemical composition of the fruits was determined using GC-MS. Results: The result revealed the presence of different phytochemicals which could possess several physiological and biological actions. The proximate analysis result showed Xylopia aethiopica fruit contain 38.72 ± 0.61% fiber, 26.08 ± 1.41% carbohydrates, 18.47 ± 0.05% protein, 6.73 ± 0.01% lipid, 6.02 ± 0.84% moisture, and 4.00 ± 0.02% ash. Result of mineral analysis showed the abundance (ppm) of the selected mineral elements in Xylopia aethiopica fruit to be 12.773 ± 0.0010 calcium, 6.270 ± 0.1500 potassium, 5.297 ± 0.0005 magnesium, 4.030 ± 0.1200 sodium, 2.408 ± 0.0007 irons, 1.090 ± 0.2700 phosphorus , 0.422 ± 0.0002 zinc, 0.319 ± 0.0001 manganese, 0.226 ± 0.0004 chromium, and 0.075 ± 0.0006 copper. Conclusion: The results revealed that Xylopia aethiopica fruits are not rich in the basic nutritional macromolecules, but contain appreciable amounts that could complement other food materials used in nutrition. The appreciable mineral content supports the use of Xylopia aethiopica fruits in pharmacology and nutrition which may aid the catalysis of many enzymes, as well as maintenance of homeostasis and immune function.
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... The hot spicy concoction is believed to help in managing postpartum haemorrhage (Akintola & Ogunbanjo, 2015;Anyamele et al., 2023;Elshiekh et al., 2022). X. aethiopica A.Rich contains micro and macronutrients necessary for the normal functioning of the body as well as in preventing nutrient deficiency diseases (Barminas et al., 1999;Imo, Yakubu, Imo, Udegbunam & Onukwugha, 2018). Studies have also shown that X. aethiopica A.Rich oil extract can serves as an alternative source of essential fatty acid for the body (Barminas et al., 1999). ...
... Carbohydrates are important to the body due to the role they play in providing energy to the body cells. The traditional use of the plant in food preparation for nursing mothers is likely targeted towards nutrient supply and energy production (Imo, Yakubu, Imo, Udegbunam & Onukwugha, 2018). ...
... Dingtsen et al (Dingtsen et al., 2021) in their study on nutritional composition of five Nigerian spices reported the highest fibre content in X. aethiopica A.Rich. Imo et al (Imo, Yakubu, Imo, Udegbunam & Onukwugha, 2018) also reported a high fibre content in fruit extract of X. aethiopica A.Rich. These reports show that X. aethiopica A.Rich as a food supplement will be beneficial in the prevention of stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. ...
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... To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the mineral composition of root extracts of R. beninensis. However, values reported for the levels of iron (2.41 mg/L, 2.73 mg/Kg, 2.65 mg/Kg), sodium (4.03 mg/L), copper (0.08 mg/L, 0.41 mg/Kg, 0.01 mg/Kg), Zinc (0.42 mg/L, 0.37 mg/Kg, 0.31 mg/Kg), and manganese (0.32 mg/L, 2.06 mg/Kg, 0.19 mg/Kg) for X.aethiopica and P.guineense from previous similar studies 60,65 were lower than the values obtained in this study. The discrepancies observed in values could be attributed to differences in methods employed during analysis, stage of maturity of the fruits/seeds before harvesting them, nature of the soil, and climatic factors of the geographical region where the spices were harvested. ...
... This value is lower than a value of 13.82% obtained in this study. However, a value of 6.73% obtained by Imo et al. 60 for X. aethiopica fruits does not agree with the 13.82% obtained in this study. This may be a result of differences in the solvent used for extraction or environmental factors. ...
... The value obtained by the said authors is in consonance with 70.08% obtained in this study. However, a lower value of 26.08% recorded by Imo et al. 60 was not in line with the value obtained in this study. For P. guineense, results from earlier studies 65,73 estimated the percentage carbohydrate content of the spice as 48.77% and 40.29% respectively. ...
Evaluation of the mineral composition, phytochemical and proximate constituents of three culinary spices in Nigeria: a comparative study
Article
Full-text available
  • Dec 2022
Spices are prolific sources of phytochemicals of pharmaceutical and nutritional importance. They have been employed for centuries in the treatment of various maladies, in cuisines, and as inhibitors of oxidative degradation in foods. On this premise, a comparative assessment of the quantitative mineral composition, phytochemical and proximate constituents of Xylopia aethiopica (fruits) , Piper guineense (seeds), and Rhaphiostylis beninensis (roots) was done using standard protocols. Subsequently, methanol extracts of the spices were subjected to Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis. Mineral analysis of the culinary spices revealed significant differences ( p < 0.05) in the spices’ magnesium, zinc, iron, selenium, copper, calcium, manganese, molybdenum, potassium, and sodium contents. In the phytochemical analysis, flavonoids, phenols, and alkaloids (4.04%, 2.92%, 2.23%) predominate in X. aethiopica . Similarly, proximate analysis shows a preponderance of carbohydrates (81.24%) and proteins (4.83%) in R. beninensis and P. guineense respectively. However, values for the selenium (0.25 mg/L), saponin (0.23%), and moisture (0.71%) contents for R. beninensis were the lowest among the three spices. Results from the GC–MS analysis revealed the presence of thirteen, twelve, and thirteen phytoconstituents of X. aethiopica, P. guineense , and R. beninensis respectively. Prominent among them are hydrocarbons, acids, and esters with renowned biological attributes such as antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. These findings indicate that the spices are notable wellsprings of bioactive components and justify their plethoric applications in Nigeria. Therefore, they could serve as lead compounds in the search for natural ingredients for drugs and nutraceuticals formulation.
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... To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the mineral composition of root extracts of R. beninensis. However, values reported for the levels of iron (2.41 mg/L, 2.73 mg/Kg, 2.65 mg/Kg), sodium (4.03 mg/L), copper (0.08 mg/L, 0.41 mg/Kg, 0.01 mg/Kg), Zinc (0.42 mg/L, 0.37 mg/Kg, 0.31 mg/Kg), and manganese (0.32 mg/L, 2.06 mg/Kg, 0.19 mg/Kg) for X.aethiopica and P.guineense from previous similar studies 60,65 were lower than the values obtained in this study. The discrepancies observed in values could be attributed to differences in methods employed during analysis, stage of maturity of the fruits/seeds before harvesting them, nature of the soil, and climatic factors of the geographical region where the spices were harvested. ...
... This value is lower than a value of 13.82% obtained in this study. However, a value of 6.73% obtained by Imo et al. 60 for X. aethiopica fruits does not agree with the 13.82% obtained in this study. This may be a result of differences in the solvent used for extraction or environmental factors. ...
... The value obtained by the said authors is in consonance with 70.08% obtained in this study. However, a lower value of 26.08% recorded by Imo et al. 60 was not in line with the value obtained in this study. For P. guineense, results from earlier studies 65,73 estimated the percentage carbohydrate content of the spice as 48.77% and 40.29% respectively. ...
Evaluation of the Mineral composition, Phytochemical and Proximate Constituents of three Culinary Spices in Nigeria: A Comparative Study
Preprint
Full-text available
  • Apr 2022
A comparative assessment of the quantitative mineral composition, phytochemical and proximate constituents of Xylopia aethiopica (fruits), Piper guineense (seeds) and Rhaphiostylis beninensis (roots) was done using standard protocols. Mineral analysis of the culinary spices revealed significant differences ( p < 0.05) in the Magnesium, Zinc, Iron, Selenium, Copper, Calcium, Manganese, Molybdenum, Potassium and Sodium contents of the spices. The respective concentrations of Iron and Selenium (16.03 ± 0.01, 0.25 ± 0.01 mg/L) in R. beninensis were the highest and lowest of all mineral elements evaluated in the three spices. Similarly, the carbohydrate and moisture contents (81.24 ± 0.25%, 0.71 ± 0.01%) of R. beninensis were the highest and lowest among all proximate parameters evaluated in the three spices. However, the Fibre contents of R . beninensis and P. guineense and the ash contents of P. guineense and X. aethiopica respectively, showed no significant differences ( p > 0.05). Moreover, flavonoid and oxalate concentrations (4.04 ± 0.09%, 0.25 ± 0.04%) in X. aethiopica were the highest and lowest of phytochemicals in the three spices respectively. Nevertheless, there were no significant differences ( p > 0.05) in the tannin content of P. guineense and X. aethiopica spices respectively. Similar trends were observed between the oxalate contents of R. beninensis and X. aethiopica , the phytate contents of R . beninensis and P. guineense and the saponin contents of the three spices respectively. These results indicate that the spices are notable sources of essential nutrients and phytochemicals. Therefore, they are possible candidates in the search for natural ingredients to formulate drugs and nutraceuticals by pharmaceutical industries.
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... To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the mineral composition of root extracts of R. beninensis. However, values reported for the levels of iron (2.41 mg/L, 2.73 mg/Kg, 2.65 mg/Kg), sodium (4.03 mg/L), copper (0.08 mg/L, 0.41 mg/Kg, 0.01 mg/Kg), Zinc (0.42 mg/L, 0.37 mg/Kg, 0.31 mg/Kg), and manganese (0.32 mg/L, 2.06 mg/Kg, 0.19 mg/Kg) for X.aethiopica and P.guineense from previous similar studies 60,65 were lower than the values obtained in this study. The discrepancies observed in values could be attributed to differences in methods employed during analysis, stage of maturity of the fruits/seeds before harvesting them, nature of the soil, and climatic factors of the geographical region where the spices were harvested. ...
... This value is lower than a value of 13.82% obtained in this study. However, a value of 6.73% obtained by Imo et al. 60 for X. aethiopica fruits does not agree with the 13.82% obtained in this study. This may be a result of differences in the solvent used for extraction or environmental factors. ...
... The value obtained by the said authors is in consonance with 70.08% obtained in this study. However, a lower value of 26.08% recorded by Imo et al. 60 was not in line with the value obtained in this study. For P. guineense, results from earlier studies 65,73 estimated the percentage carbohydrate content of the spice as 48.77% and 40.29% respectively. ...
Evaluation of the Mineral composition, Phytochemical and Proximate Constituents of three Culinary Spices in Nigeria: A Comparative Study
Preprint
Full-text available
  • Apr 2022
A comparative assessment of the quantitative mineral composition, phytochemical and proximate constituents of Xylopia aethiopica (fruits), Piper guineense (seeds) and Rhaphiostylis beninensis (roots) was done using standard protocols. Mineral analysis of the culinary spices revealed significant differences ( p < 0.05) in the Magnesium, Zinc, Iron, Selenium, Copper, Calcium, Manganese, Molybdenum, Potassium and Sodium contents of the spices. The respective concentrations of Iron and Selenium (16.03 ± 0.01, 0.25 ± 0.01 mg/L) in R. beninensis were the highest and lowest of all mineral elements evaluated in the three spices. Similarly, the carbohydrate and moisture contents (81.24 ± 0.25%, 0.71 ± 0.01%) of R. beninensis were the highest and lowest among all proximate parameters evaluated in the three spices. However, the Fibre contents of R . beninensis and P. guineense and the ash contents of P. guineense and X. aethiopica respectively, showed no significant differences ( p > 0.05). Moreover, flavonoid and oxalate concentrations (4.04 ± 0.09%, 0.25 ± 0.04%) in X. aethiopica were the highest and lowest of phytochemicals in the three spices respectively. Nevertheless, there were no significant differences ( p > 0.05) in the tannin content of P. guineense and X. aethiopica spices respectively. Similar trends were observed between the oxalate contents of R. beninensis and X. aethiopica , the phytate contents of R . beninensis and P. guineense and the saponin contents of the three spices respectively. These results indicate that the spices are notable sources of essential nutrients and phytochemicals. Therefore, they are possible candidates in the search for natural ingredients to formulate drugs and nutraceuticals by pharmaceutical industries.
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... Different phytochemicals were identified using both standard and sophisticated methods, however the phytochemicals reported in this work are those that were identified from primary research papers based on full sets of spectra data and have also been shown to exhibit biological activities in their pure forms (Table 1). Phytochemical constituents of X. aethiopica A.Rich. reported using standard method included main compounds such as: phenols, saponins, phenols, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids and cardiac glycosides [2,19,20]. Following the development of novel approaches in the identification of plant chemicals, more phytochemical constituents of X. aethiopica A.Rich. have been identified [17]. ...
... Studies by Imo et al. [19] and Taylor et al. [20] identified oleic acid from the fruit extract of X. aethiopica A.Rich. which they showed possess antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activities. Utegenova et al. [21] in their study showed that the putative compounds eremophilene and transverbenol found in X. aethiopica A.Rich. had a high inhibitory activity against methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) with a low IC-50 of 19.1 µg/ ml while 50 µg/ml of spectinomycin (control) inhibited bacteria growth completely. ...
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... 3-7). (21,36,37,38,39,40,41,42). For instance, Ehiglator et al carried out a Phytochemical screening of ethanolic stem bark extract of Xylopia ethiopicae (Dunal) A Rich. (Annonaceae) and its effect on fertility indices of male rats and noticed that the ethanolic stem bark possesses a robust concentration of alkaloids, saponins, and tannins, with moderate concentrations of steroids and cardiac glycosides (26). ...
... The major compounds identified were the andrographolide, Bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-ol, 2 methyl-5-(1-methylethyl), 1H-Naphthol[2,1b]pyran ethenyldodecahydro-3,4a,7,7,10a-pentamethyl-,[3R-(3,alpha, 4a,beta, 6a alpha, 10a beta,10b alpha)], (1S)-2,6,6-trimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-ene, and Beta-copaene as shown in Table 4 kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside was discovered to be a contributing factor to its anti-inflammatory activities (39). More so, previous studies carried out on the structural analysis of Xylopia ethiopicae (Dunal) A Rich. (Annonaceae) extract using different techniques showed that this plant contains chemical components which includes volatile oils, essential oils, resins, rutheroside, bitter principles, alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, tannins, sterols, carbohydrate, protein, free fatty acid, and mucilage which is thought to be a contributory factor to its numerous pharmacological effects (42). ...
Volume: 6; Issue: 04
Article
Full-text available
  • Sep 2022
Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Rich is known for its numerous traditional uses and pharmacological activities. This study was carried out to elucidate the bioactive components of methanolic leaf extract of Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Rich. through both qualitative and quantitative analyses of the leaf extract. The qualitative analysis was carried out post methanol extraction through the phytochemical screening of some secondary metabolites such as the tannins, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, and cardiac glycosides. Moreso, quantitative analyses were carried out using Gas chromatography-Mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) technique for the identification and profiling of the different bioactive components present in the aforementioned methanol leaf extract. There was an observable presence of phytochemicals such as the tannins, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, and steroids and an absence of terpenoids and cardiac glycosides in the methanolic leaf extract of Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Rich. Furthermore, the presence of 62 bioactive components was observed with five components including,
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... The majority of Africa's tropical and subtropical evergreen rainforests support its growth. Xylopia aethiopica's local names in Nigeria include "Uda" in Igbo, "Urherien" in Urhobo, "Erunje" in Yoruba, and "Kimba" in Hausa (Imo et al., 2018). It has also been reported that the plant possesses antioxidant and other pharmacological properties (Fetse et al., 2016;Oso et al., 2018;Okagu et al., 2018). ...
Attenuation of frozen storage-induced toxicity in Beef via incorporation of Culinary Spices
Article
  • Jun 2023
The shelf-life of meat products in cold storage is primarily hampered by oxidative reactions. Thus, the effects of three proven antioxidant culinary spices, Rhaphiostylis beninensis, Piper guineense, and Xylopia aethiopica, and their combined extract formulations on the oxidative stability of beef samples were investigated. Raw beef samples were immersed in 5, 10, and 15 % formulations of each of the said spice extracts, their combined extract formulations, distilled water devoid of any additive (negative control), and butylated hydroxyl toluene (standard) respectively, and frozen at -18 °C for 28 days. The experimental, control, and standard groups were evaluated and compared at the start, and on storage days 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, and 28 for malondialdehyde, percentage metmyoglobin content, peroxide, and pH values as indices of protein-lipid oxidation. Results indicated that extracts of the spices exhibited varying degrees of inhibition of oxidation in the frozen beef samples comparable to that of the standard. However, beef samples exposed to 10% X. aethiopica fruit extract produced the lowest degree of oxidation. Activity-guided fractionation of antioxidants in X. aethiopica advocates using polar solvents to extract high levels of antioxidant phenolics from the spice. These findings reveal that the spices investigated are novel sources of natural antioxidants suitable for the cold preservation of beef and viable substitutes for synthetic antioxidants. In this respect, X. aethiopica was the most potent of the three spices studied. Keywords: Culinary spice; Beef; Protein-lipid oxidation; cold storage; Natural antioxidant; Activity-guided fractionation
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... Phytogenics are a group of natural non-antibiotic growth promoters derived from herbs, spices or other plants (Banerjee et al., 2011). Ethiopian pepper (Xylopia aethiopica) and cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) are plants that could serve as phytogenic feed additives due to their active constituents and nutritive value (Cortés-Rojas et al., 2014; Imo et al., 2018). Ethiopian pepper is a potential therapeutic weapon against various human and animal diseases, and this potential has made it valuable to human and animal lives (Ogbonnia et al., 2008). ...
Effect of dietary supplementation with Ethiopian pepper (Xylopia aethiopica), cloves (Syzygium aromaticum), and their composite on growth performance, serum parameters, and haematological indices of broiler chickens
Article
Full-text available
  • Mar 2023
This study investigated the effect of dietary Ethiopian pepper (Xylopia aethiopica) and clove (Syzygium aromaticum) supplementation on growth performance, serum parameters and haematological indices of broiler chickens. Three hundred and sixty unsexed Ross broilers were used for the study. Four experimental diets were formulated for starter (0-28days) and finisher phases (29-56days); Diet 1 was the control without Phytogenic supplementation, Diet 2 (supplemented with 1% Ethiopian pepper (EP)), Diet 3 (supplemented with 1% Clove (CL)) and Diet 4 (supplemented with 1% mix of equal quantity (0.5 % each) of Ethiopian pepper and clove (EPCL)). Each treatment was replicated 6 times with 15 birds per replicate. Growth response was measured weekly for starter and finisher phase, blood was collected for serum and haematological parameters at the end of 4th and 8th week. Data obtained were subjected to one analysis of variance using SAS 2000 and significant means were separated using Tukeys test in same software. At day 28, dietary supplementation of EPCL increased (P<0.05) live weight (LW) (660.34 g), weight gain (WG) (599.66 g) with improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) (0.98). Total protein (TP) (48.00 g/L) and albumin (28.30 g/L) was higher (P<0.05) for broilers fed diet supplemented EPCL compared to other treatments. Packed cell volume (PCV) (30.00 %) was higher (P<0.05) in broilers fed diet with EPCL. Supplementation of CL and EPCL in the diet of broilers increased (P<0.05) red blood cell (RBC) count of broilers. At day 56, LW and WG was also increased (P<0.05) with EPCL supplementation. Reduced (P<0.05) cholesterol was observed for broilers fed diet supplemented EPCL. Haemoglobin (Hb) and RBC was higher (P<0.05) for broilers fed diet supplemented EPCL. It was concluded that EPCL can be supplemented in the diet of broilers for increased performance and improved blood parameters
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Simulation of the Essential oil extraction kinetics of Xylopia aethiopica fruits from Congo Brazzaville. Fick diffusion, Peleg sorption and Michaelis-Menton enzymatic models
Article
  • Feb 2022
The hydrodistillation extraction kinetics of Xylopia aethiopica fruit essential oil were modeled according to the phenomenological approach applied to Fick diffusion model, Peleg sorption model and Michaelis-Menton enzymatic model. All these models fitted experimental data. The assumptions underpining each model highlight the understanding of the process. It emerges that the essential oil releases completely at the washing step (> 90 %) with a rate constant 105 higher than those of diffusion step. This latter is the limiting step of the process. The end of the process can be estimated at 18.4 min (10t1/2) or at 36.8 min (20 t1/2) with a maximum yield varying between 3.84 and 5.09 % for the 3 studied samples. Exploring the mechanism of extraction by different complementary models improves significantly the understanding of the process and reinforces the predictive goal of this study.
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Antibacterial Screening of Two Indigenous Nigerian Spices; Piper guineense and Xylopia aethiopica
Article
Full-text available
  • Jan 2017
Leaf and fruit extracts of Piper guineense and Xylopia aethiopica were respectively evaluated for their antibacterial activities against two (2) organisms; Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The antibacterial activity was measured by agar well diffusion method using 8 mm diameter cork borer. All the extracts except hot aqueous extract of P. guineense leaves showed antibacterial activity against the test bacterial isolates. Cold aqueous extract of X. aethiopica did not exhibit antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa, also hot aqueous extract of X. aethiopica did not exhibit antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa. The ethanolic extracts of P. guineense showed inhibitory activity against the two test bacterial isolates with zone diameter of inhibition that ranged between 12.5 mm to 28.0 mm, while X. aethiopica showed activity with zone diameter of inhibition that ranged between 11.5 mm to 20.0 mm. The cold aqueous extracts of P. guineense showed antibacterial activity against both test bacterial isolates with zone diameter of inhibition that ranged between 12.0 mm to 25.0 mm, while X. aethiopica showed activity only against S. aureus with zone diameter of inhibition ranged between 9.5 mm to 19.0 mm. The hot aqueous extracts of P. guineense showed no antibacterial activity against the test organisms, while that of X. aethiopica showed activity only against S. aureus with zone of inhibition ranged between 9.0 mm to 25.0 mm. Amoxicillin and Ciprofloxacin antibiotics were used as positive controls, while the extracting solvents were used as negative controls. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, and tannins and the absence of alkaloids in both spices studied. The MIC result revealed variability in the inhibitory concentration of each extract for both organisms tested. All active extracts of Piper guineense where found to possess an MIC of 3.12 mg/ml, while the MIC range for all the active extracts of Xylopia aethiopica ranged between 3.12 mg/ml to 12.5 mg/ml. Based on this finding, these extracts show promise and form a primary platform for further phytochemical and pharmacological studies for use as alternative medicine. Keywords : Antibacterial; phytochemical; inhibitory; agar well; pharmacological.
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Phytochemical screening of Xylopia aethiopica with emphasis on its medicinally active principles
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Full-text available
This work aimed at investigating the functional types and compositions of bioactive compounds in Xylopia aethiopica. Plant parts (petiole, leaf, seed, stem bark, and roots) were collected from Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State, North Central Nigeria. Extracts were qualitatively screened following standard protocols. Phytochemicals were screened and tested. This was followed by quantitative analysis of selected bioactive compounds using double extraction gravimetric method. Data were statistically analysed using SPSS software. From the result, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, reducing sugar, anthraquinones, steroids, flavonoids, and glycosides were present in the parts investigated. The stem bark contained very high amount of saponin (8.33%), alkaloid (5.67%) and flavonoid (5.24%). The seed had moderate amount of the quantified compounds. The high positive correlation between flavonoid and alkaloid (+0.999) was the most significant value (p=0.022) obtained though the quantified chemicals were all positively correlated. Therefore, based on quantity, the bark is the most important part of medicinal importance followed by the seed. Based on functional types of phytochemicals, the petiole is the most important part which contains 7 out of 9 active principles screened, followed by the bark and the leaf. Therefore, the tree could serve as a source of making different types of cheap multifunctional drugs.
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EVALUATION OF PHYTOCHEMICAL CONTENT OF SUN-DRIED AND OVEN-DRIED RIPE PULPS OF Cucurbita pepo L. CULTIVARS AND Citrullus lanatus THUNB
Article
Full-text available
  • Jun 2016
This study investigated the fundamental scientific basis for the use of three common cucurbits (two cultivars of Cucurbita pepo (smooth-rind and coarse-rind varieties) and Citrullus lanatus) by screening and quantifying the percentage of selected phytochemical constituents in thesun-dried and oven-dried fruit pulps. Qualitative analysis revealed the presence of all bioactive constituents in both dried forms of the three fruit samples, but tannins were not detected. Quantitative estimation (%) of the sun-dried pulps [alkaloids (3.84±0.23; 2.83±0.71; 1.97±0.05);saponins (1.24±0.09; 1.58±0.21; 0.6±0.07); and flavonoids (13.60±0.57; 12.78±0.53; 16.75±1.06)] of smooth C. pepo, coarse C. pepo and C. lanatus, respectively, showed a significant (p<0.05) reductive trend upon thermal application [alkaloids (1.69±0.02; 1.47±0.05; 1.15±0.07); saponins (0.84±0.05; 0.98±0. 07; 0.37±0.09) and flavonoids (9.25±1.06; 8.48±1.24; 11.98±0.53)], but differences were not significant for saponins (p> 0.05). The findings confirm that the three cucurbits are very good sources ofthermolabile phytochemicals, with inherent nutritional, medicinal and chemoprotective prospects, thus, propping pumpkin as a cheaper, and even more beneficial alternative to be massively grown in Nigeria’s Southern tropical forests.
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Fractionation and determination of total antioxidant capacity, total phenolic and total flavonoids contents of aqueous, ethanol and n-hexane extracts of Vitex doniana leaves
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As a result of normal metabolic processes, the human body produces reactive oxygen species capable of oxidizing biomolecules that can damage DNA, cells and also contribute to the development of chronic diseases. The process can be attenuated or perhaps reversed by herbs and diets containing components that can scavenge reactive oxygen species. In this study, the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total polyphenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoids content (TFC) of aqueous, ethanol, n-Hexane extract as well as ethanol extract fractions of Vitex doniana leaves were determined. Ethanol extract showed the highest 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity (69.01±1.13) followed by aqueous extract (66.14±1.12) and n-hexane extract (50.05±2.11). The total flavonoids content is in the order; aqueous (304±4.14) > ethanol (276 ±4.69) > n-Hexane (88±3.45). Hence, the total phenolic content is in a similar order as that of total antioxidant capacity. Chloroform : ethyl acetate fraction has the highest antioxidant capacity (165mg/ml). methanol : H 2 O fraction (76mg/ml) and 100% methanol (76mg/ml). Similarly, the total flavonoids content is in the order of fractions; 1>6>4>13>12>2 and others. Total phenolics were in the order of fractions; 1>5>4>12>7>2. There was a strong relationship (R 2 = 0.77) between total antioxidant activity and total flavonoid contents and (R 2 = 0.6517) for total phenolic content of the fractions. The present study demonstrated that V. doniana leaves extracts contain high amounts of flavonoids and phenolic compounds so that these compounds are efficient free radical scavengers.
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In vitro antioxidant activities of total flavonoids extracts from leaves and stems of Adenia lobata (Jacq.) engl. (Passifloraceae)
Article
  • Jan 2011
Oxidant stress is implied in numerous illnesses as a triggering factor or partner to their complications. The present work aimed to determine the antioxidant activity of total flavonoids extracts from A. lobata and to identify the molecules that are supposed to be responsible for this activity. The crude extracts, obtained by maceration in 70% (v/v) aqueous methanol, have been extracted successively by hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. The crude (S1, S2), ethyl acetate (SIII1, SIII2) and n-butanol (SIV1, SIV2) extracts underwent a phytochemical screening in order to test the radical scavenging activity against 1, 1' - diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Qualitative analysis by thin layer chromatography permitted the study to put in evidence the flavonoids content of the different extracts. Contents in phenolic compounds were relatively high in the stems (3604 ± 511, 11 μg GAE/g) in relation to the leaves of A. lobata (3240 ± 711, 05 μg GAE/g). EC50 of 6, 422.5, 430 and 357.5 μg/ml were graphically determined for vitamin C, SIII1, SIII2, SIV1 and SIV2 respectively; fractions S1, S2 and SIV2 showed an EC50 greater than 500 μg/ml.
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