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Haruna Sani et. al., /IJLS/ 11(2) 2022 ; 13-18
International Journal of Life Sciences 13
Full Length Research Paper
Proximate Composition of Leaves and Root extract of Jatropha
tanjorensis (Ellis & Saroja)
1Abubakar, D.S., 1Haruna Sani,(harunasani409@gmail.com) 1Yusuf Garba, 2Baman Abubakar
and 2James Gana
1Biology Department Federal College of Education, Kontagora, Niger State2Agricultural Science Education Federal College
of Education, Kontagora, Niger State, Nigeria.
2Department of Zoology, Bangalore University, Bangalore, India.
ARTICLE INFORMATION ABSTRACT
Introduction
The history of studying and working with medicinal plants is quite chemists and botanist are interested in studying
medicinal plant which has not been research before to identify which component in the plant are active and to see how
those compound works (wasan, 2014) use of plants sources of medicine has been inherited and is an important
component of the health care System. Herbal medicine derived from plant extracts are being utilized The increasingly to
treat wide variety of clinical disease studies have shown that commonly consumed medicines plants are good sources of
polyphenols, saponin, flavonoids and phenypreponoids. This compounds display a vast variety of pharmacological
activities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-bacteria, anti-oxidant, anti-fungal, anti-viral activities. The purpose
of identifying of phyto-chemical in plant was to attain the therapeutically deferred active portion and eliminate unwanted
materials. A knowledge of chemical constituent of plant is desirable not only for the discovered of the therapeutic agents,
but also for disclosing new sources of economics phyto-compounds for the synthesis of complex chemical substances
and for discovering the actual significant of folkloric.
The study identified the chemical components and bioactive properties Phyto-chemical constituent present in the extract
of J. tanjorensis leaves and roots. Jatropha tanjorensis is herbaceous taxons belong to the euphorbiaceae family
commonly called hospital too far. The leaves are consumed as vegetables, fodder and medicine (Olayiwola, 2004). But
the economic values of the root are yet to be known. The leaves of J. tanjorensis based of claims by traditional healers
have the efficacy in the treatment of anaemia and malaria fever (Omoregie and Sisodia, 2011
Materials and methods
Study Area
The analysis was carried out federal university of technology Minna Niger state. Collection and identification of plant
material Jatropha tanjorensis root and leaf material were collective on February 2019 from kontagora , Niger state. And
Vol. 11. No.2. 2022.
©Copyright by CRDEEP Journals. All Rights Reserved.
Contents available at:
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International Journal of Life Sciences (ISSN: 2277-193x) CIF: 5.411; SJIF: 6.431
A Peer Reviewed Journal
Corresponding Author:
Haruna Sani
Article history:
Received: 23-05-2022
Revised: 01-06-2022
Accepted: 10-06-2022
Published: 14-06-2022
Key words:
Jatropha tanjorensis,
phytochemicals and
medicine
Jatropha tanjorensis is herbaceous taxon belong to the Euphorbiaceae family commonly
called hospital too far. The leaves are consumed as vegetables, fodder and medicine
The study determined proximate composition of leaves and root extract of Jatropha
tanjorensis. The result shows that Carbohydrate, Crude Protein and moisture had high
concentrations of 80.04±0.55, 8.82 ± 0.09, and 5.29 ± 0.14 respectively. Crude Fat,
Crude Fiber and Ash contents were low in concentrations of 2.67±0.12, 1.33±0.07 and
1.15±0.16 respectively. Phyto-chemical constituent present in the extract of J.
tanjorensis leaves and roots metabolites which includes tannin, saponins among others.
The results obtained from this study contribute to the scientific validation for the use of
this medicinal plant in traditional medicine which could be standardized culturally to as
a broad spectrum for curing diseases.
Haruna Sani et. al., /IJLS/ 11(2) 2022 ; 13-18
International Journal of Life Sciences 14
conveyed for identification and authentication at biology department, federal college of education kontagora, the leaves
and root were dried in a room temperature for 24hours to remove moisture content and the ground using mechanical
grinder put in air tight container and store in desiccators for the further analysis.
Preparation of plant extract
Fresh J. tanjorensis leaves and roots were dried under shade within a temperature range of 26-28°C and ground into fine
powder with an electric blender
Authentication of the Plant
The Plants was Authenticated and Identified at Department of Plant Science Bayero University. Kano with Herbarium
Accession Number Bukhan 666
Determination of Moisture Content
2.0 grams of the sample was accurately weighed into a previously cleaned, dried and weighed crucible. The crucible
with its content was put into a Gallenkamp drying oven at 105oC for 3 hours. The sample was then cooled in desiccators
and weighed. The process was repeated until a constant weight was obtained. The loss in weight expressed as a
percentage of the initial weight of sample gave the percent moisture (AOAC, 2000).
Determination of Ash Content
1 gram of the samples was weighed into a clean dried and cooled crucible. It was incinerated in a furnace at 550 to 600°C
for 3 hours. It was then removed and allowed to cool in desiccators and weighed again. The percentage ash content was
calculated as:
Crude Protein Content Determination
2.0 g of the sample was weighed into a digestion flask containing 0.5g of selenium catalyst. 25 cm3 of concentrated
H2SO4 was added and the contents thoroughly mixed. The flask was then heated on a digestion burner for 8 hours until
the solution was green and clear. The solution was transferred into a 100cm3 volumetric flask and made up to the mark
with distilled water. 25cm3 of 2% boric acid was pipette into a 250cm3 conical flask and 2 drops of mixed indicator
(20cm3 of bromocresol green and 4cm3 of methyl red) solution were added 10cmZ of the digested sample solution was
then introduced into a Kjeldahl flask, the condenser tip if the distillation apparatus containing 15cm3 if 40% NaOH was
dipped into the boric acid contained in the conical flask. The ammonia in the sample solution was then distilled into the
boric acid until it became bluish green. The distillate was titrated with 0.1M HCl solution colourless end point. The
percent total nitrogen and crude protein were calculated (AOAC, 2000).
Crude protein determination:
Where: VA = volume (cm3) of HCl used in the sample titration
VB = volume (cm3) of HCl used in the blank titration
M = Molarity of HCl
W = weight of sample (g)
% Crude protein = % nitrogen x 6.25
Crude Fibre Content Determination
2.0g of the defatted sample (from crude fat determination) was transferred into a 250cm3 Erlenmeyer flask and 2.5cm3 of
1.25% H2SO4 was added. The content of the flask was boiled under reflux and digested for 30 minutes. At the end of the
30minutes, the content was filtered and subsequently washed with boiling water until the washings were no longer acidic
using blue litmus paper. The sample was washed back into the flask with 200cm3 boiling 1.25% NaOH solution and
boiled for 30 minutes. It was then filtered and thoroughly washed with boiling water until the washings were no longer
alkaline using red litmus paper. The crucible with its content was then dried in an oven at 105oC overnight and cooled in
desiccators and weighed. The crucible with its content was them ignited in a furnace at 600oC for 30minutes, cooled and
weighed. The loss in weight was expressed as a percentage of the initial weight of the sample (AOAC, 2000).
Haruna Sani et. al., /IJLS/ 11(2) 2022 ; 13-18
International Journal of Life Sciences 15
Carbohydrate Content Determination
Total percentage carbohydrate (Nitrogen Free Extr
act) was determined by the difference method as reported by Amadi et al, (2004). This method involves adding the total
values of crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre, moisture and ash constituents of the sample and subtracting it from 100.
The value obtained is the percentage carbohydrate.
% Carbohydrate = 100 – (% moisture + % ash + % protein + % fat + % fibre).... (5)
Determination of Crude Lipid Content
5g of the sample was weighed into the extraction thimble, and about 50cm3 of petroleum ether (40 – 60oC) range was
added to the extraction flask. A condenser was fixed at the top of the extractor. The flask was fitted into the extraction
unity and refluxed to about 60oC for 6 hours. The ether extract was evaporated on an evaporating bath until the lipid was
solvent free. This was dried in an oven at 100oC for 1 hour, cooled in a desiccator and weighed. The lipid was stored in
plastic containers for further analysis.
Phytochemical Analyses
Phytochemical analysis includes the Phenol determination, determination of Saponin, Alkaloids, Flavonoid, Tannin,
Phytate and Oxalate.
Determination of Total Alkaloids
0.5g of the sample was dissolved in 96% ethanol -20% H2SO4 (1:1). 1ml of the filtrate was added to 5cm3 of 60%
tetraoxosulphate (VI), and allowed to stand for 5min. Then; 5cm3 of 0.5% formaldehyde was added and allowed to stand
for 3h. The reading was taken at absorbance of 565nm. The extinction coefficient (E296, ethanol {ETOH} =
15136M־¹cm־¹) of vincristine was used as reference alkaloid. (Harborne, 1976)
Determination of Saponins
0.5g of the sample was added to 20cm3 of 1NHCl and was boiled for 4h. After cooling it was filtered and 50cm3 of
petroleum ether was added to the filtrate and either layer evaporated to dryness. 5cm3 of acetone ethanol was added to the
residue. 0.4cm3 of each was taken into 3 different test tubes. 6cm3 of ferrous sulphate reagent was added into them
followed by 2cm3 of concentrated H2SO4. It was thoroughly mixed after 10min and the absorbance was taken at 490nm.
Standard saponin was used to establish the calibration curve. (Oloyed, 2005)
Determination of Tannin
0.2g of sample was measured into a 50cm3 beaker. 20cm3 of 50% methanol was added and covered with para film and
placed in a water bath at 77-80ᴼC for 1hr. it was shaken thoroughly to ensure a uniform mixture. The extract was
quantitatively filtered using a double layered Whatman No.41 filter paper into a 100cm3 volumetric flask, 20cm3water
added; 2.5cm3 Folin-Denis reagent and 10cm3 of Na2CO3 were added and mixed properly. The mixture was made up to
mark with water mixed well and allowed to stand for 20min for the development of a bluish-green color. The
absorbencies of the tannic acid standard solutions as well as samples were read after colour development on a UV-
spectrophotometer model 752 at a wavelength of 760nm. (AOAC, 2005)
Phytic Acid Content
The Phytic acid content was determined using a modified indirect colorimetric method of Wheeler and Ferrel (1971). The
method depends on an iron t phosphorus ratio of 4:6 and is based on the ability of standard ferric chloride to precipitate
phytate in dilute HCI extract of the sample. 5g of the sample was extracted with 20cm3 of 3% trichloroacetic acid and
filtered. 5ml of the filtrate was used for the analysis; the phytate was precipitated as ferric phytate and converted to ferric
hydroxide and soluble sodium phytate by adding 5cm3 of IM NaOH. The precipitate was dissolved with hot 3.2M HNO3
and the absorbance and immediately at 480nm. Preparation of standard curve for phytic acid was done as follows:
standard curve of different Fe(NO3)3 concentrations was plotted against the corresponding absorbance of
spectrophotometer to calculate the ferric iron concentration. The phytate phosphorus was calculated from the
concentration of ferric iron assuming 4:6 Iron: phosphorus molar ratio.
Determination of Cyanide
Cyanide content was determined by alkaline picrate method according to Wang and Filled method as described by
Onwuka, 2005. 5g of powdered sample was dissolved in 50ml of distilled water in a cooked conical flask and the
extraction was allowed to stand over-night, filtered. 1cm3 of sample filtered was mixed with 4cm3 alkaline picrate in a
corked test tube and incubated in a water bath for 5mins. After colour development (reddish brown colour) the
absorbance was read at 490nm, the absorbance of the blank containing 1ml distilled water and 4ml alkaline picrate
solution was also recorded. The cyanide content was extrapolated from cyanide standard curve prepared from different
concentration of KCN solution containing 5-50μg cyanide in a 500cm3 conical flask followed by addition of 25cm3 of
INHCI.
Haruna Sani et. al., /IJLS/ 11(2) 2022 ; 13-18
International Journal of Life Sciences 16
Determination of Oxalate
Oxalate in the sample was determined by permanganate titrimetric method as described by Oke, 1966. 2g of the sample
flour was suspended in 190cm3 of distilled water in 250cm3 volumetric flask, 10cm3 of 6M HCI was added and the
suspension digested at 1000C for 1hr, cooled, then made to the mark before filtration. Duplicate portion of 125cm3 of the
filtrate were measured into beakers and 4 drops of methyl red indicator added. This is followed by the addition of cone.
NH4OH solution drop wise until the test solution changes from salmon pink colour to a faint yellow colour (pH 4-4.5).
Each portion is then heated to 900C, cooled and filtered to remove precipitate containing ferrous ion. The filtrate is again
heated to 900C and 10cm3 of 5% CaC12 solution added while being stirred constantly. After heating, it was cooled and
left overnight at 50C. The solution was then centrifuged at 2500rpm for 5mins, the supernatant decanted and the
precipitate completely dissolved in 10cm3 of 20% (v/v) H2SO4 solution. The total filtrate resulting from the digestion was
made up to 300cm3. Aliquots of 125cm3 of the filtrate was heated until near boiling and then titrated against 0.05M
standardized KMnO4 solution to a faint pink colour which persisted for 30s. The calcium Oxalate content is calculated
using the formula:
Where T is the titre of KMnO4 (cm3), Vme is the volume-mass equivalent 1cm3 of 0.05M KMnO4 solution is equivalent to
0.00225g anhydrous oxalic acid), Df is the dilution factor VT/A (2.5 where VT is the total volume of titrate (300ml) and A
is the aliquot used (125ml KMnO4 redox reaction), ME is the molar equivalent of KMnO4 in oxalate () and Mf is the mass
of flour used
Results
Table 1: Flavonoid Contents in the Root and Leaves Extracts of Jatropha tanjorensis
Table 2: Tannins Contents in The Root and Leaf Extracts of Jatropha tanjorensis
Table 3: Alkaloids Contents in the Root and Leaf Extracts of Jatropha tanjorensis
Table 4: Saponins Contents in the Root and Leaf Extracts of Jatropha tanjorensis
Table 5.: Mineral Content of Jatropha tanjorensis Root Extract
Minerals Compositions
Moisture 5.29 + 0.14
Ash Content 1.15 + 0.16
Crude Protein 8.82 + 0.09
Crude Fat 2.67 + 0.12
Crude Fibre 1.33 + 0.07
Carbohydrate 80.04 + 0.55
All values are the mean of triplicate determinations expressed in dry weight basis standard deviation c
Table6; Anti-nutritional contents of Jatropha tanjorensis Root
Anti-nutritional quantity
Saponins 1.8 + 0.07
Flavonoid 2.5 + 0.31
Alkaloid 2.7 + 0.24
Phytate 3.6 + 0.17
Value represented as mean of triplicate values + standard deviation.
Extracts
Sample weight
Absorbance
% flavonoid
Roots
0.5001
1.530
0.306
Leaves
0.5000
2.040
0.405
Extracts
Sample weight
Absorbance
% tannins
Roots
0.5007
1.436
0.287
Leaves
0.5010
2.100
0.419
Extracts
Sample weight
Absorbance
% saponin
Roots
0.5010
0.129
0.026
Leaves
0.5036
0.168
0.033
Extracts
Sample weight
Absorbance
% alkanoid
Root
0.5027
0.134
0.027
Leaves
0.5019
0.145
0.029
Haruna Sani et. al., /IJLS/ 11(2) 2022 ; 13-18
International Journal of Life Sciences 17
The results from table 6 shows that Phytate had the highest concentration which is 3.6±0.17 and Alkaloid, Flavonoid,
Oxalate, Tannin, Saponin, Alkaloid are low in concentrations which are 2.7±0.24,2.5±0.31,2.6±0.21,1.5±0.14 and
1.8±0.07 respectively.
Table 7; Mineral Contents of J .tanjorensis Root Extracts
Mineral Contents
Value mg/ 100g
Sodium (Na)
54.21 + 0.01
Potassium (K)
142.61 + 0.22
Phosphorus(P)
6.10 + 0.14
Calcium (Ca)
22.4 + 0.03
Iron (Fe)
31.40 + 0.01
Zinc (Zn)
3.40 + 0.01
Value represented as mean of triplicate values + standard deviation The results from table 7 shows that Potassium,
Sodium, Iron, Calcium and Phosphorus has the highest concentrations which are 142.61±0.22, 54.21±0.01, 31.40±0.01,
22.4±0.03 and 6.10±0.14 respectively and zinc is low in concentration which is 3.40±0.01.
.Discussion
Tannins and flavonoids have biological activities that are of benefit in the prevention and management of many ailments
(James et al, 2007)) associated antimicrobial activity with presence of tannins and flavonoids therefore the presence of
tannins and flavonoids in the leaf and root extract of j. tanjorensis is an indication of presence of essential secondary
metabolites. The determination of the proximate constituents is necessary in assessing nutritional levels of plant parts of
frequency consumed in traditional medicine (Namadina et al, 2019) the moisture content of the powdered plant material
using loss on drying methods was found to be 8.0% and this values is within the permissible limits W H O (2011)
recommended any the percentage moisture content in any crude drug to be within 12-14%. The high moisture content
provide for greater activity of water soluble enzymes and co-enzymes needed for metabolic activities of these plants.
The presence of trace metals such as zinc, from manganese in the root and leaf extract of J. tanjorensis. These element are
rich sources of macro and minor elements that aid in the growth of plants, and as well in human body functions such as
muscle contraction, bone formation growth metabolic, osmotic balance, regulatory activities (Rabia et al., 2012). The
concentration of element go hen from the study was within FAO/WH0 permissible limits for edible plants .Zinc (2n) is an
element that aids in normal growth, reproduction, tissue repair and wound heading. Zinc deficiency causes growth
retardation and skin lesions Saponins have different antimicrobial activities due to alkaloids on them and their presence
save as an indicator towards possible antibacterial activities (Dangoggo et al, 2012) Tannins compound are also present in
the extract and are compound which have the ability to react with proteins to form stable water insoluble components and
since bacterial cell are made up of proteins, tannins are seen as active detoxitying agents by precipitating the proteins
compounds and hence inhibiting their growth. . Aiyelaagbe et al. (2018) investigated the antimicrobial activity of the
plant Jatropha multifida. Seth and Sarin (2010) studied the antibacterial activity of different solvents extracts of Jatropha
gossypifolia against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis.. Saetae and Suntornsuk (2010) studied the antifungal activities
of ethanolic extract from Jatropha curcas seed cake. Purohit and Reena (2011) studied the antimicrobial activity of
methanol and petroleum extracts of dried bark extracts of Jatropha gossypifolia. The methanol extracts of bark of the
plant showed prominent antimicrobial activity in comparision to petroleum ether extracts at specific dose 200ug/100ul.
Arekemase (2011) analysed the antimicrobial activity of the hexane, ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Jatropha curcas
against different microorganisms responsible for various human infections. The extracts and latex displayed potent
antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Neisseria gonorrhea, Pseudomonas aeurginosa, Escherichia coli,
Candida albicans and Aspergillus flavus. The results confirmed the potency of this plant in treating human infections
including sexually transmitted diseases. Omoregie and Sisodia (2012) evaluated the antiplasmodial activity of the extracts
from Jatropha tanjorensis leaves .The antiplasmodial activity of the crude ethanolic extract was moderate when compared
with the standard antimalaria drug chloroquine The antiplasmodial activity of the plant leaves supported the local claims
on its efficacy in the treatment of malarial infection. Dhale and Birari (2013) studied the antimicrobial effects of
petroleum ether, alcohol and chloroform extracts of Jatropha gossypifolia aganist gram-positive species Staphylococcus
spp. and Bacillus spp. and gram negative species like Escherichia spp.and Pseudomonas spp. by agar disc diffusion
method. The alcoholic extract of leaves showed maximum antibacterial activity. The significant antibacterial activity of
active extract was compared with standard antibiotic Ampicillin. The extract showed highly significant antidiarrheal
activity.
Alkaloids have a wide range of pharmacological activities including antimalarial (e.g., quinine), anticancer (Kittakoop et
al., 2014) antibacterial (e.g., chelerythrine) (Cushnie et al., 2014), and antihyperglycemic activities (e.g., piperine) (Qiu et
al., 1997). Tannin is one of the major active ingredients found in plant based medicines (Cushnie et al., 2014),they are
used in the dyestuff industry as caustics for cationic dyes (tannin dyes), and also in the production of inks (iron gallate
ink), textile dyes, antioxidants in beverages, and coagulans in rubber production aswell as possessing antiviral,
antibacterial, and antitumor activity (Khanbabaee & Van Ree, 2001) Tannin has been reported to selectively inhibit HIV
replication (Kashiwada et al, 1992
Haruna Sani et. al., /IJLS/ 11(2) 2022 ; 13-18
International Journal of Life Sciences 18
Conclusion
Jatropha tanjorensis leaves and root posses metabolites which include tannin, Saponins, The result obtained from this
study contributes to the scientific validation for the use of this medicinal plant in traditional medicine which could be
standardized culturally to as a broad spectrum for curing diseases.
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