Elemental and phytochemical analysis of Diospyros mespiliformis leaves and stem bark in Nangere local government area of Yobe state, Nigeria

Abstract

Aqueous extract of Diospyros mespiliformis leaves and stem bark in Nangere Local Government area of Yobe State were analyzed for its elemental and photochemical constituents. The Elemental analysis which was carried out with Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) showed that the plant contains calcium [Ca], manganese [Mn], magnesium [Mg], lead [Pb], copper [Cu] and Zinc [Zn] in moderate quantity while cadmium [Cd] and cobalt [Co] were not detected. Qualitative method was used for the phytochemical analysis and the result revealed the presence of alkaloids, anthraquinones, carbohydrates, flavonoids, phlobatannins, saponins, steroids, tannins and terpenoids in both the leaves and the stem bark extracts of the plant while glycosides are present in the leave extract but absent in the stem bark extract. The phytochemical and the elemental constituents of the plant may account for its varied enthnobotanical uses in traditional medicine in Nigeria.