PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND ANTIOXIDANT VITAMINS OF ACACIA NILOTICA POD

Abstract

Acacia nilotica is also known as Gum Arabic tree, Babul, Egyptian thorn, or Prickly Acacia is multipurpose nitrogen fixing legume tree. The aim of this work was to determine the phytochemical constituent and antioxidants vitamins of Acacia nilotica pod. The Acacia nilotica were obtained from Dange Shuni and the pod was also obtained by removing the seeds. They were properly screened and identified by Botanist in the herbarium of botany unit, biological science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. 5g of the sample with 100ml of distilled waterwas soaked overnight and filtered to obtain the filtrate (extract). The samples were analyzed using spectrophotometer. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Saponins, Tannins, Cardiac glycosides, Steroids, Glycosides, Balsam and Volatile oils. However, anthraquinones were not detected. The quantitative result showed Alkaloids to be (15.9 ± 0.31), Flavonoids (3.8 ± 1.22), Tannins (0.1077 ± 0.00058), Steroids (0.073 ± 0.00038) and Glycosides (5.77 ± 0.015). The antioxidant vitamins analyzed showed vitamin C concentration to be (2.3018±0.0017), vitamin E (329.9 ± 0.20) and vitamin A equivalent (84.72 ± 0.39). This shows that A. nilotica pod is rich in Phytochemicals and antioxidant vitamins.