Abstract

African yam bean (AYB) is an underutilized legume with numerous food and medicinal properties, which are yet to be fully exploited for the benefit of human and animals. The effects of extraction medium on the total phenolic components and antioxidant activity of six accessions of Africa Yam Beans were investigated. The different accessions of AYB used were TSS-10, TSS-57, TSS-84, TSS-95, TSS-96 and TSS-111. Antioxidant activities were determined using 2, 2-diphenyl -1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging effect, reducing power, total antioxidant capacity and antioxidant-related Phytochemical: total phenolics (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) using standard methods. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of different photochemical like alkaloids, cardenolides, saponins and flavonoid at different levels in the AYB accessions. The results showed that 70% acetone exhibited higher TPC and TFC yield than the aqueous extract. TSS-10 had the highest TPC, DPPH scavenging and reducing power while TSS-96 and TSS-57 had the highest TFC and TAC respectively for aqueous extracts. For the 70% acetone, TSS-84 had the highest TPC, TFC and reducing power while TSS-10 and TSS-96 had the highest DPPH and TAC respectively. The results obtained in this study indicate that AYB is rich in antioxidants and can serve as nutraceutical. In addition, solvents of extraction had significant effects on TPC, TFC and antioxidant activities.

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