Comparative analysis of mineral constituents of ethanol leaf and seed extracts of Datura stramonium

Abstract

Medicinal plants contain numerous biologically active compounds such as minerals which have physiological actions on the human body. This work was designed to analyse the mineral composition of Datura stramonium (D. stramonium) leaf and seed extracts. Dry leaves and seeds of D. stramonium were pulverized. The powdered sample was used for the extraction using 98% ethanol. Standard methods were used in the determination of the mineral contents. The study result showed the order of trace minerals composition of D. stramonium leaves and seed were as follows: Fe>Cu>Mn>Zn>Ni>Co and Cu>Fe>Zn>Mn>Ni>Co, respectively. The result showed higher value of trace minerals in D. stramonium leaves than the seed. There were significant difference (p<0.05) in the trace elements levels of the leaves and seeds with the leaves having higher mineral levels than the seed. The result also showed that macro minerals of D. stramonium leaves and seed were in this order: Mg>Ca>K>P. D. stramonium leaves had higher quantities of macro mineral than the seeds. D. stramonium leaves and seed used for this study have proved to be very important in drug research and development, because of the mineral composition that are present in appreciable amount. These minerals could contribute to the various pharmacological attributes of this plant. However, further research is necessary to determine other bioactive constituents present in this plant and their mechanism of action. Keywords: Minerals, Datura stramonium, trace elements, macro mineral, medicinal plants, active compounds.