Comparative Study on the Extraction of Phytochemicals (Saponin) from Velvet tamarind (Dialium guineense) and Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata) in Enugu State, South Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

This study tries to compare the phytochemical composition of the leaves of Velvet tamarind (Dialium guineense) and Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata). It also specifically compared the saponin contents of the leaves of these two plants. The leaf samples were collected from a forest in Emene, Enugu State and were taken to the labouratory for analytical procedure. The plant leaves were subjected to qualitative and quantitative screening for phytochemicals. The result of the qualitative analysis indicated the presence of phytochemicals such as Phenol (++), Alkaloids (+), Saponin (+), Tannin (++), Flavonoids (++) and Glycoside (+) at varying levels in Velvet tamarind (Dialium guineense) while the result of the quantitative analysis of Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata) leaves indicated the presence of phytochemicals such as Alkaloid (++), Saponin (++), Tannin (+) and Glycoside (++). The result of the quantitative analysis indicated the presence of phytochemicals in mg/g such as Phenol (0.433), Alkaloids (0.0276), Saponin (0.0378), Tannin (0.3867), Flavonoids (0.3781) and Glycoside (0.0892) at varying levels in Velvet tamarind (Dialium guineense) while the result of the quantitative analysis of Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata) leaves indicated the presence of phytochemicals such as Alkaloid (0.3234), Saponin (0.15433), Tannin (0.1278) and Glycoside (0.4234). Generally, saponin from Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata) leaves had higher quantity when compared to that of Velvet tamarind (Dialium guineense). The result of the FTIR analysis conducted showed that the functional group of the extracted saponin had close similarity with that of a standard saponin. It is recommended that Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata) leaves be employed during extraction of saponin for industrial uses.