Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences: Research Areas

Article Title: Evaluation of the Extractive Values and Phytochemical Constituents of Sandpaper Leaf, Waterleaf, Bitter Gourd and Neem Using Different Solvents
by Jacob Olalekan Arawande and Walter Bamikole Osungbemiro

Abstract:
The usefulness of plants for medicinal and therapeutic purposes is dependent on the availability of phytochemicals present in their solvent extracts. Therefore this study aimed at assessing the impact of different solvents on extraction yields and phytochemical constituents ofneem (Azadirachtaindica), sandpaper tree (Ficusexasperata), waterleaf (Talinumtriangulare), and bitter gourd (Momordicacharantia)as well as establishing statistical correlation between the extractive values and bioactive constituents extractable by solvents.The plant samples were separately air-dried, grounded and sieved into powder and each of the plant samples was extracted using different solvents (methanol, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone and water) in ratio 1:10 for 72 hours. Extractive tendency of each solvent for bioactive constituents was evaluated and the solvent extracts of each plant were screened for twelve phytochemicals (flavonoids, phenol, saponin, tannin, alkaloid, oxalate, phytate, anthraquinone, volatile oil, steroids, reducing sugar and glycoside) using standard procedures. The extractive values showed that water, methanol, and chloroform were the most suitable solvents for extracting the bioactive constituents inFicus exasperate, Talinumtriangulare, Momordicacharantia, Azadirachtaindica.Azadirachtaindica had the highest extractive yield and highest percentage bioactive constituents in methanol and chloroform in all the plant samples while Momordicacharantia had the highest percentage of bioactive constituents in ethyl acetate, acetone and water. There was a positive but weak correlation (r = 0.130, p<0.05) between overall percentage yield of extract and percentage bioactive constituent extractable by solvents in the plant examined.

Keywords: Extractive Values, Phytochemicals, Solvents, Neem, Sandpaper, Waterleaf, Bitter Gourd

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