TOTAL ALKALOID

Sesamum indicum L. (Pedaliaceae), commonly known as sesame, is one of the world’s oldest oilseed crops, valued for its high oil content (40–60%) and diverse medicinal applications. Beyond its culinary importance, sesame possesses a wide array of secondary metabolites that contribute to its pharmacological and nutritional properties. This study focused on the qualitative and quantitative determination of total tannin, saponin, and alkaloid contents in sesame seeds to evaluate their phytochemical potential. Dried sesame seeds were procured from a local market in Edo State, Nigeria, and processed
following standard phytochemical procedures. The qualitative screening confirmed the presence of tannins, saponins, and alkaloids, while quantitative evaluation revealed that tannins were the most abundant phytochemical (21.27 + 0.35 g TAE/kg), followed by saponins (20.08 ± 0.33g DE/kg) and alkaloids (9.10 ± 0.49 %). The presence of these bioactive compounds indicates that sesame seeds possess strong antioxidant
and therapeutic potential. Tannins contribute to antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, saponins play a role in cholesterol regulation and immune modulation, while alkaloids are associated with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. The findings support the traditional use of sesame in herbal medicine and suggest its further application in nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.

The study examined the total tannin total saponin and total alkaloid contents of dried seeds of soya beans (glycine max) and sesame seeds (sesamum indicum). Exactly 1.0 g of the powdered soybean and sesame seed samples was weighed separately and dissolved in 50 mL of cool, boiled distilled water in a 100 mL beaker. The contents were transferred into a 100 mL standard flask, and the beaker was rinsed three times with about 10 mL of the same distilled water to ensure complete transfer. The volume of the flask was then made up to the 100 mL mark with distilled water. The flask was corked, inverted four times for proper mixing, and allowed to stand. The final extract solution had a concentration of approximately 10,000 µg/mL (stock), and was used for subsequent phytochemical screening and quantitative analyses. Qualitative phytochemical screening was carried out to identify the presence of bioactive compounds such as tannins, saponins, and alkaloids, using the standard procedures described by Tiwari et al. (2001) with minor modifications.A 2.0 mL portion of each extract was evaporated to dryness, and the residue was dissolved in 5 mL of 2 mol/dm³ hydrochloric acid (HCl). The solution was filtered, and the filtrate was divided equally into two test tubes. To the first test tube, a few drops of Mayer’s reagent were added, while the second received Wagner’s reagent. The appearance of a yellowish precipitate in the first tube and a reddish-brown precipitate in the second tube confirmed the presence of alkaloids.sThe study evaluated the total tannin, saponin, and alkaloid contents of dried seeds of Glycine max (soybean) and Sesamum indicum (sesame). Thus, this study provided a scientific basis supporting the nutritional and medicinal importance of soybean and sesame seeds. Their phytochemical richness underscores their usefulness in developing nutraceuticals and plant-based formulations for disease prevention and health promotion.Based on the findings of this research, the following recommendations are made: increased utilization of sesame seeds, encouragement of soybean consumption further research, pharmaceutical and industrial exploration,government and institutional support.