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Phytochemical Analysis of Some Selected Indigenous Fruits Collected from Lokogoma-Abuja, Nigeria

2020; Science Publishing Group; Volume: 6; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.11648/j.jdmp.20200602.14

2469-8210

Akilu Mariya, Abdulrasheed Hadiza Haruna, Akilu Zakari Babangida,

Psidium guajava Extracts and Applications

Fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based foods are rich in bioactive phytochemicals that may provide desirable health benefits beyond basic nutrition to reduce the risk of the development of chronic diseases (Liu, 2004). This study focuses on determining the presence of phytochemical components in Citrillus lanatus (Watermelon), Musa acuminate (Banana), Psidium guajava (Guava) and Solanum lycopersicum (Tomato) samples collected from a location in Abuja, FCT. The set objectives were achieved using the standard laboratory procedures as sourced from literature. To determine the presence of phytochemical components responsible for the medicinal properties, a qualitative screening checking for ten (10) known phytochemicals was conducted for each fruit extract. The Phytochemicals screened for were Tannins, Saponins, Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Glycosides, Terpenes, Steroids, Phenols, Resins and Anthraquinones. All sampled fruit revealed the presence of a number of the phytochemicals checked, but no fruit sample tested positive for all phytochemicals tested. The Citrillus lanatus was the only sample to test positive for Flavonoids and negative for Anthraquinones. The phytochemicals found in these fruits have a wide range of therapeutic indications with a great variety of biological properties such as antioxidant, provitamin, antibacterial, antiviral, anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities. The present data suggests that the crude ethanolic extracts of the sample fruits are potential sources of phytochemicals that could be of great importance to the health and nutrition of humans and in the treatment of various diseases.