EVALUATION OF THE PHYTOCHEMICALS, MINERAL CONSTITUENTS AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF THE ETHANOL EXTRACT OF BAPHIA NITIDA

Abstract

Baphia nitida (camwood) is a widely distributed plant most commonly found in the interior and coastal regions of tropical Africa. Known by diverse local names across Africa, extracts from its stem, leaves and roots have been found to possess several medicinal values. This study was designed to investigate the phytochemical constituents, mineral elements composition and antioxidant properties of the ethanol extract of Baphia nitida leaves. Baphia nitida leaves was identified at the herbarium unit of Botany Department, University of Lagos with herbarium number: LUH 5614.  The ethanol extract was screened for the presence of phytochemicals,  antioxidant assays were carried out using DPPH scavenging activity and free radical antioxidant power and the mineral content was determined using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). Phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, steroids, reducing sugar, glycosides, phlobotannins, terpenoids, flavonoids and alkaloids. There was high reducing power and it inhibited 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), indicating its antioxidant activity. Minerals detected include calcium, potassium, sodium, copper, iron, manganese, magnesium, zinc and cobalt. These were in varying concentrations with iron having the highest concentration and cobalt the lowest.  The analysis shows that Baphia nitida   is a promising herbal remedy with strong antioxidant property.