QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE CONTENTS OF ALKALOID AND SAPONIN IN BITTER LEAF

QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE CONTENTS OF ALKALOID AND SAPONIN IN BITTER LEAF

ABSTRACT

 The study investigated the qualitative and quantitative contents of alkaloid and saponin in bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina). The study was aimed to determine the presence of alkaloid and saponin in terms of quantity and quality. The qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening of the extract indicated the presence of Alkaloid  and saponin, with saponin being the most abundant constituent. Quantitative analysis of the methanol extract of  V. amygdylina presented  in Table 1 revealed that saponins were heavily detected in V. amygdylina (+++)  while Alkaloids analysis by the different tests revealed similar level of alkaloids (+ i.e., slightly detected) in the plant leaf extracts. The results of obtained from quantitative analysis (mg/ g of extract) of methanol extract of  V. amygdalina are presented in Table 2. From the results, the lowest concentration (mg/g of phytochemicals analyzed in the methanol extract V. amygdalina was recorded for  alkaloids and saponins,  V. amygdalina had a higher concentration of Saponins (7.43 mg/g of extract) and alkaloid at 5.76+0.01.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background of the Study

From time immemorial, man depended on plants as sources of drugs and 75% – 90% of the rural populations of the world have still not emerged from the use of plants as herbal remedy (kong et al., 2003). The phytochemicals present in plants are responsible for their use in medical practice especially, tradomedicine (Aliyu et al., 2011, Sexena et al., 2013). These phytochemicals have various protective functions for the plants, but not nutritional function; while at the same time they have various health benefits for man (Sexena et al., 2013). Phytochemicals include vitamins, terpeniods, phenolic acids, lignins, stibenes, tannins, flavonoids, quinines, coumarines, alkaloids, amines and betalains (Gracelin et al., 2013).

Vernonia amygdalina (V. amygdalina) commonly called “Bitter Leaf” in English Language (Oguwike et al., 2013) is a member of the Asteraceae family, a small ever green shrub of the tropical African region, especially in West Africa (Ikhajiangbe-Happy et al., 2014). It is known by different names such as Onugbu (Igbo), Shiwaka (Hausa), Ewuro (Yoruba) and Kinologbo (Ijaw) (Kigagha and Onyema, 2015).

It is usually used for dietary purposes, especially after washing the leaves to remove the bitter taste (Oboh and Masodje, 2009). The bitter taste is due to factors such as alkaloids, saponins, tannins and glycosides (Adetunji et al., 2013). In ethno-medicinal practice, the roots and leaves are used to treat fever, kidney problems, hiccups and stomach discomfort. Its blood clothing properties and its ability to reduce blood glucose has also been exploited in the trado-medical practice (Udochukwu et al., 2015). Also reported are its uses as treatment of gastro-intestinal problems, malaria, tooth ache and fertility problems (Eyo et al., 2013).Some of its pharmacological activities are antibacterial (Adetunji et al., 2013, Kigagha and Onyema, 2015, Udochukwu et al., 2015), antimicrobial and hypolipaemic and anti-diabetic effect (Ikhajiangbe-Happy et al., 2014, Oboh and Masodje, 2009). It is also a good haemostatic control agent and a good blood sugar reducing agent (Oguwike et al., 2013). Proximate analysis of the leaves of V.

1amygdalina shows that it is a good dietary item. The phytochemical analysis of V. amygdalina shows that it contains proanthocyanidins, flavonoids, alkaloids and phenols (Momoh et al., 2015). Saponins and hydrochyanide were also found to be present (Evong et al., 2011).

1.2       Aims And Objectives

The aim of this study is to determine the qualitative and quantitative contents of Alkaloid and Saponin in bitter leaf.

The following are the objectives of this research.

• To determine the quality of alkaloid and saponin in bitter leaf.
• To determine the quantity of alkaloid and saponin in bitter leaf.

1.3       JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY Since the use of plants in traditional medicine is becoming popular, Vernonia amygdalinaare popular in traditional medicine practices thus this study will attempt to extract and tests for active compound in these plants so as to ascertain whether the claims made by traditional healers are pertaining to the healing potentials of these plants are true.