Levels of Biologically Active Compounds and some Essential Metal in Parts of African Oil Bean Tree (Pentaclethra macrophylla)

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.

Key words: Mineral, phytochemical, leaves, roots