Abstract

Jack Bean (JB) (Canavalia ensiformis) and Sword Bean (SB) (Canavalia gladiata) are lesser-known and underutilized legumes with many food and medicinal benefits. Phytochemical screening and the in vitro antioxidant assays of aqueous extracts of jack bean and sword bean were carried out using standard methods. DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl -1- picrylhydrazyl) scavenging activity, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoids contents (TFC) and reducing power were assayed as determinant of in vitro antioxidant effects. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of saponins, tannins, flavonoids, steroids and alkaloids in both JB and SB while cardiac glycosides and anthraquinones were absent in both JB and SB. However, SB contained terpenoids which were absent in JB. The results of in vitro antioxidant assays showed that aqueous extract of sword bean had a significantly higher (P<0.05) DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl -1- picrylhydrazyl) scavenging activity than aqueous extract of jack bean. The total phenolic content (TPC) of sword bean was not different from the TPC of jack bean. Aqueous extract of sword bean had a significantly higher (P<0.05) total flavonoid content (TFC) than aqueous extract of jack bean and sword bean had a significantly higher (P<0.05) reducing power effects than the jack bean. The study concluded that jack bean and sword bean exhibited in vitro antioxidative effects and both JB and SB should be exploited as functional foods for the benefit of human and animals.

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