ABSTRACT
This work was designed to explore the phytochemicals, elemental and proximate analysis of Maerua angolensisStem bark were determined using standard analytical methods. The phytochemical screening showed alkaloid (271.30 mg /100 g), tannins (340.25 mg /100g), flavonoid (176.85 mg /100 g), reducing sugar (41.20 mg /100 g), glycosides (184.30 mg /100 g), steroids (112.30 mg /100 g), anthraquinones (167.85 mg /100 g) and saponin (225.61 mg /100 g). Also the elemental analysis carried out revealed that the concentration of Manganese (0.02 9 mg/kg), Copper (0.059 mg/kg), Calcium (0.070 mg/kg), Sodium (7.530 mg/kg), Zinc (0.028 mg/kg), Chromium (0.158 mg/kg), Lead (0.007 mg/kg), Iron (0.100 mg/kg) and Magnesium (0.020 mg/kg). The result of the proximate composition showed that the moisture, fat, crude protein, crude fibre, ash, carbohydrate and energy value content of the samples were 3.58±0.04%, 6.25±0.09%, 21.79±0.26%, 48.51±2.31%, 13.28±1.86%, 6.60±1.79% and 169.81±8.49 kcal/100 g respectively. The pH value obtained was 5.65±0.09. These indicate that the plant can be effective source for drugs. The elemental and proximate analysis shows that it contained appreciable amount of nutrients which could be included in diets to supplement human daily nutrient needs and animal.
ABSTRACT
Proximate composition, amino acid, mineral content, vitamin composition and anti-nutritional factors of Cassia occidentalis seed were determined using a standard method of analysis. The result showed that the seed had the following proximate composition on dry weight (DW) bases: ash (39.00%), moisture content (2.00%), crude protein (18.50%), crude lipid (7.55%, Crude fibre (16.30%) and carbohydrate (16.75%). Six amino acid was detected (isoleucine, leucine, tyrosine, alanine, glutamine and valine) indicating that the seed is a good source of amino acid for adult. Vitamin composition (beta-carotene, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol) were also detected in the seed. The anti-nutrient analysis showed that the seed contains total phytate (1.25mg/100g) oxalate (1.70mg/100g) and nitrate (0.82mg/100g). While hydrogen cyanide was not detected. Elementary analysis revealed that the seed contain Na (0.015±0.02 mg/100g), Cu (0.028±0.04 mg/100g), Zn (0.441±0.10 mg/100g), Mg (2.003±0.30 mg/100g) and Mn (0.041±0.03 mg/100g) while Cd, Cr and Pb were not detected. Comparing the nutrients and anti-nutrient constituent with WHO and FAO values, the result indicated that the Cassia occidentalis seed had the potential to be used as a source of nutrient in alleviating macro and micronutrient deficiencies