EXTRACTION AND PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING ON AFRICA PEACH, TAMARIND INDICA, BRIMSTONE AND GUAVA EXTRACT LEAVES

ABSTRACT

The main thrust of this study is to investigate Extraction And Phytochemical Screening On Africa Peach, Tamarind Indica, Brimstone And Guava Extract Leaves. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloid, flavonoid and saponin at various quantities with saponin more abundant amongst others like tannin, glycoside and phenols that are present. All the extracts were tested for antimicrobial activity with ethanol extract and water extract exhibiting a higher activity against the reference strains. It exhibits a higher sensitivity than the standard antibiotic erythromycin which was used as control.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background to the Study

Herbs have been used as medicine since the history of man and herbal preparations have been a major component of all traditional medicine systems particularly in Asia, South  America and Africa. It is a common element of modern day ayurvadic, homeopathic and naturopathic medicine systems (Wikipedia, 2007). In fact, herbal medicine was the starting point for the Western medicine before the latter greatly diversified. An estimated 75 – 90% of the rural population of the world still relies on herbs for their healthcare.  Thus,  in  many village market places in Asia, Africa and Latin America, medicinal herbs are sold alongside vegetables and other wares (Lai and Roy, 2004). Even in the Western culture where herbal medicine seemed to have been forgotten for a longtime in preference to synthetic drugs, there   is a rethinking and resurgence of herbal remedies. The new direction has been necessitated by high rate of resistance to antimicrobial drugs and the apparent residual toxicity of many synthetic drugs. Medicinal plant materials are considered safe and understandably so because most of them are known metabolizable human and animal food items. Several Nigerian plants used for the treatment of disease of known bacterial aetiology  have  been  authenticated to  have antibacterial activity using in vitro test methods (Okeke et al., 1999; Okoli et al., 2000; Okoli and Iroegbu, 2004; Okoli and Iroegbu, 2005; Ugonabo et al., 2007).

It is generally believed that fractionation of plant extracts and purification of the active principles would optimize the potency. However, in some cases fractionation has been found   to extend the spectrum of activity  of plant extracts  (Okoli and Iroegbu,  2005) while in others it was found to reduce the spectrum of activity depending on whether certain constituents of   the crude extract interact antagonistically, synergistically or additively when used in combination. Africa peach, tamarind indica, brimstone and guava the subject of the study reported here, is reputed  as  a  folklore herbal remedy for several ailments as well as source of food and beverage for man and animals in various parts of the world (Asia, Central and South America and Africa). Both crude extracts and fractions of the ethanolic extracts have been tested in this study for antimicrobial activity as well as for their toxicity to brine shrimps and embryonated chicken eggs. Phytochemical screening is the means of identifying new sources of therapeutically and industrially important bioactive compounds from plants (Aman et al., 2012).

The phytochemical screening involves botanical identification, extraction with suitable solvents, purification and characterization of the bioactive constituents of medicinal plants (Bandaranayake, 2006). Antimicrobial activity has formed the basis of many applications of bioactive compounds in pharmaceuticals, food preservation, alternative and natural therapies (Kemal et al., 2013). The evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of natural products has become critical due to the increased prevalence of microbial antibiotic resistance to the most common antibiotics (antimicrobial agents). Therefore the study seek to investigate Extraction And Phytochemical Screening On Africa Peach, Tamarind Indica, Brimstone And Guava Extract Leaves.

Statement of the Problem

Nigeria is blessed with a vast distribution of vegetations and different plants-based medicines used traditionally, which means plants can now be a “natural chemical factory” for the earth. These plant parts are used for the treatment and management   of diseases and disorders especially in pre-historic days. Despite medicinal importance, they are also useful as ornamental, flavouring, additives, and preservatives. According to the WHO, most of them have been found to contain therapeutic benefits and are also precursors for the synthesis of useful drugs; such plants are termed medicinal plants. Yet adequate scholarly attention have not been giving to these plants.

Aims and Objectives

The main objective of this study is to investigate on Extraction And Phytochemical Screening On Africa Peach, Tamarind Indica, Brimstone And Guava Extract Leaves.

The specific objectives of this study are;

1. To examine the Phytochemical screening and extracts of Africa Peach, Tamarind Indica, Brimstone And Guava Extract Leaves
2. To investigate the quantitative phytochemical composition of Africa Peach, Tamarind Indica, Brimstone And Guava Extract Leaves

Justification of the Study

Most of the traditional knowledge of medicinal plants is in the form of oral knowledge and the active ingredients of herbal remedies are unknown to the traditional healers. Herbal remedies generally lack standardization. This constitutes hinderance to acceptibility by the general public and the integration into the official national health care system of many countries. The correct identification of herbal material and the active ingredients is essential to quality control, safety and efficacy, acceptibility by the general public and possible integration into the national health care system. The phytochmical and and screening studies of Peach, Tamarind Indica, Brimstone And Guava Extract Leaves would provide information on of the therapeutic potentials of these medicinal plants, quality parameters and data about these plants.

Scope of the Study

The research work covered collection and identification of the plant materials which are  Africa Peach, Tamarind Indica, Brimstone And Guava Extract Leaves, However, the preliminary phytochemical screening of the extracts were done to determine the major phytochemicals present, isolation of compounds and their structural characterisation.

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