Comparative Phytochemical and Mineral Element Analysis of Leaf and Stem Bark of Spondiasmombin doi.org/10.26538/tjnpr/v6i7.6

Abstract

The leaves and stem bark of Spondias mombin have been acclaimed to be used by local populace to treat diseases and as food supplements. The research determined and compared the phytochemicals and mineral composition of the plant leaves and stems bark. The phytochemical analyses were done using standard methods. The mineral element analysis was done using multiple parameter photometer. The result of phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids (8.3±0.5%, 1.5±0.4%), flavonoids (11.67±1.4%, 9.8±0.2%), saponins (8.65±0.4%, 5.3±1.2%), tannins (0.96±0.1, 0.88+0.1%) and phenol (1.14±0.01, 1.2±0.01%) for leaves and
stem bark, respectively. While the specific phytochemicals result showed the presence of proanthocynanin, naringenin, flavan-3-ol, anthocyanin, sapogenin, phenol, flavonones, steroids, kaempferol, flavones, catechin and resveratrol at specific concentrations for each extract. Ribalinidine, naringenin, spartein and oxalate were present in the leaves extract and absent in the stem bark extract. Rutin, quinine, ephedrine and epicatechin were present in the stem bark extract and absent in the leaves extract at various concentrations. The mineral element composition of the plant components revealed the presence of aluminum, silicon, phosphorus,
sulphur, potassium, calcium, iron, zinc and copper at different concentration for both leaves and stem bark extract. Magnesium, manganese and cobalt were absent in the leaves extract and slightly present in the stem bark extract. Their various concentrations were not harmful as they are within the permissible range. These compounds contained in the plant have been reported in literatures to possess therapeutic properties against pathogens which have supported the ethnomedical claims and functions of this
plant.