Abstract
The study assessed the phytochemical and mineral content in leaves, root and bark of Pentaclethra macrophylla in Amumara Mbaise, Imo State. The qualitative analysis show that the root extract had the highest tannin (++), flavonoid (+++), alkaloid (+++), and saponin (+++) with high degree of precipitation while phenol (+++) and phytate (+++) occurred in the leaves extract. Quantitatively, the highest significant (P<0.05) content of tannin (1.42±0.00 %), flavonoid (3.75±0.35 %, alkaloid (1.30±0.14 %), and saponin (3.40±0.00 %) were obtained in the root while the highest significant (P<0.05) content of the minerals: Mg (158.00±0.00 mg/100 g), Fe (16.50±0.00 mg/100 g), Na (165.00±0.00 mg/100 g), and Ca (224.15±0.00 mg/100 g) were observed in the leaves. The results indicate that P. macrophylla is a promising tree species that can improve the health of man.Keywords: Mineral, phytochemical, leaves, roots
Highlights
Medicinal plants are plants with active ingredients and rich in curative properties that can be used in manufacturing of drugs
The results indicate that P. macrophylla is a promising tree species that can improve the health of man
The assessment of phytochemical and elemental content of medicinal plants such as Pentaclethra macrophylla is very important since majority of people in developing country such as Nigeria relied heavily on medicinal plants due to its efficacy and low cost
Summary
Medicinal plants are plants with active ingredients and rich in curative properties that can be used in manufacturing of drugs. These plants are used alone or combined with other plants because of their bioactive compounds (i.e. phytochemicals) such as saponins, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, phenols among others. The assessment of phytochemical and elemental content of medicinal plants such as Pentaclethra macrophylla is very important since majority of people in developing country such as Nigeria relied heavily on medicinal plants due to its efficacy and low cost. Extensive literature search show that no research has been carried out on the phytochemical and mineral content in leaves, root and bark of P. macrophylla. This study, is aimed to fill the gap in scientific knowledge by providing data on phytochemical and mineral content in leaves, root and bark of this promising plant species
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