Characterization and anti-oxidant activity of Cucurbita maxima Duchesne pulp and seed extracts
Journal Title: UNKNOWN - Year 2018, Vol 7, Issue 2
Abstract
The study aimed to characterize phytochemical composition of C. maxima seeds and pulp. The ethanol and aqueous extract of C. maxima seeds and pulp were done using percolation method. The phytochemical composition of ethanol and aqueous extract were determined using methodology described by the association of official analytical chemists. Qualitative screening of both aqueous and ethanol seed and pulp extracts showed presence of alkaloids, flavanoids, phenolics, carbohydrates, tannins, saponins, terpenoids and proteins. The quantitative tests reported concentration of 0.336g/100g of phenols, 0.012g/100g flavanoids and 0.009g/100g tannins in seed aqueous extracts while 0.213g/100g, 0.175g/100g and 0.016/100g in pulp respectively. The levels of phenols, flavanoids and tannins reported in ethanol extracts were 0.277g/100g, 0.246g/100g and 0.010g/100g in pulp and 0.530g/100g, 0.252g/100g and 0.064g/100g in seed respectively. Saponins were present in ethanol extracts only. The percentage content of alkaloids was 4.9% in pulp and 5.97% in seed aqueous extracts while ethanol pulp and seed extracts was 9.49% and 9.74% respectively. All extracts showed significant levels of anti-oxidant activity at different concentration levels. The presence of these phytochemical compounds shows that C. maxima are a potential medicinal candidate that needs to be explored further for actual use as in pharmaceutical industry.
Authors and Affiliations
Peninah Njoki Muchirah, Rebecca Waihenya, Shadrack Muya, Leila Abubakar, Hastings Ozwara, Anselimo Makokha
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP587969
- DOI -
- Views 109
- Downloads 0
Phytochemical analysis of Leucaena leucocephala on various extracts
The plants play a vital role in human life. Every plant has some disease curative properties in it. Even the fodder plants have medicinal properties. In the similar way the present research was carried out to study phyto...
Chemical constituents and pharmacological action of Ocimum sanctum (Indian holy basil-Tulsi)
The plant of Oscimum sanctum commonly known as “Tulsi”, belong to Lamiaceae family. It is an erect, much branched, fragrant and erected plant attaining a height of about 20-50 cm. Different parts of the plant are used in...
Anti-methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) activity of an acetone extract from the leaves of Canarium odontophyllum (Miq.)
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a global health concern that has caused nosocomial and community infections over the past decade. The emergence of multi-drug resistant strains and limitations of pre...
Hepatoprotective potentials of Picralima nitida against in vivo carbon tetrachloride-mediated hepatotoxicity
This research aimed at investigating the in vivo Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-mediated hepatotoxicity of methanolic seed extract of Picralima nitida (P. nitida) using Wistar rats. Twenty five (25) rats randomly selected i...
Bioformulation of antifungal herbal extract from Curcuma caesia Roxb. and Ixora coccinea L. against Botrytis cinerea Pers.
This paper represents the antifungal property of the crude rhizomatous extract of Curcuma caesia Roxb. and leaf extract of Ixora coccinea L. against Botrytis cinerea. First, the crude extract from two different plants we...