Phytochemical Constituents, Proximate Composition and Mineral Analysis of Aqueous and Ethanolic Stem Bark, Seed Extracts and Plant Parts of Moringa oleifera
Ogundele Damilola Tope *
Department of Chemical, Geological and Physical Sciences, Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria
Oludele Olusanya Emmanuel
Department of Industrial Safety Technology, Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun, Delta State, Nigeria
Oladejo Afees Adebayo
Department of Chemical Sciences, Biochemistry Program, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti Nigeria
Olayemi Victoria Tosin
Department of Chemical, Geological and Physical Sciences, Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Moringa oleifera is a small size multipurpose tree of approximately 5 to 10 m in height which is cultivated all over the world. The phytochemical constituents of aqueous and ethanolic stem bark and seed extracts of Moringa oleifera were assessed and compared. The mineral and proximate analyses were carried out on some selected parts of the plant. The result of the qualitative phytochemical constituents showed the presence of tannins, flavonoid, alkaloids, saponins, steroids, terpenoids and cardiac glycoside in both aqueous and ethanolic extracts. Results showed the presence of iron, calcium, potassium and zinc. Proximate analysis in all the investigated plant parts revealed the presence of carbohydrate, protein, fat, fiber and ash with the leaves having highest percentage of protein (18.61%). The results from this study prove extensively the use of the plant in ethnomedicine and its potential for diet formulation.
Keywords: Moringa oleifera, nutritive minerals, phytochemicals, ethno-medicine