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Phytochemical contents of Allanblackia floribunda Oliv. (Guttiferae) leaves use as components of human and animal ethno-medicine in Nigeria
Abstract
A study of the phytochemical properties of Allanblackia floribunda leaves from different locations: Ikwuano L.G.A. in Abia State, Ikom L.G.A. in Cross River state and Eleme L.G.A. in Rivers State in the Southern Nigeria was carried out in a quest to evaluate their potentials as sources of alternative medicine as well as uses in other industrial application. Leaves samples were analysed in the laboratory to determine their phytochemical properties. The results obtained showed that alkaloid: 1.07%, 0.97%, 1.29%; phenol: 0.88%, 0.70%, 1.11%; flavonoid: 0.88%, 0.70%, 1.02%; tannin: 0.12%, 0.13%, 0.13%; saponin: 0.17%, 0.24%, 0.13% were tested for Ikwuano, Ikom and Eleme Allanblackia floribunda leaves respectively. The Anova results of the phytochemical properties of the leaves samples studied showed significant differences (P<0.05) in phenol, flavonoid and saponin. However there were no significant differences in alkaloids and tannin of Allanblackia leaves from Ikwuano, Ikom and Eleme. HCN also varied significantly. The presence of these wide ranges of phytochemicals was seen as conferring potentials of pharmaceutical values to the plant and could be exploited for pharmaceutical uses.
Keywords: Allanblackia floribunda leaves, phytochemical properties, ethno-medicine, and Southern Nigeria