Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is one of the major staple food crops in Africa, overtime the constraints caused by Plant ravaging pathogen such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and other abiotic factors has led to decline in the yield of cassava produced per annu
Faculty
Department
Year of Publication
Publication Type
Abstract
Traditional herbal remedies according to World Health Organization, will have a place in the health-care system only if recommendations for their use are founded on research that establishes their credibility and acceptability. The goal of standardization is to validate herbal products in terms of their safety, efficacy, quality and reproducibility. Hence this research work, designed to study some inherent characteristics of the leaf of Margaritaria discoidea that determines thequality of its product. The plant leaves were collected and identified. Pharmacognostic studies for the determination of some quality control parameters for the leaves of M. discoidea were conducted using standard prescribed methods. Macroscopy of M. discoidea leaves revealed that the leaves were simple, petiolated, alternate with entire margins and reticulate venation. Microscopy showed the presence of straight-walled epidermal cells, unicellular trichomes, calcium oxalate crystals and paracytic stomata. The transverse cut through the mid-rib section showed isobilateral tissue arrangement. chemo-microscopy showed the presence of lignin, cellulose, mucilage, tannins, starch and fixed oils. Phytochemical screening of the powdered leaves showed the presence of glycosides, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, steroidal nucleus and alkaloids. Thin layer
chromatography (TLC) revealed the presence of a number of separated constituents in the methanolic extract of the plant. Quantitative determinations for proximate analysis were moisture content (8.23%), total ash (8.62%), crude fibre (3.43%), crude fat (9.10%), crude protein (19.80%)and carbohydrates (59.05%). Vitamin C was present in minute quantity. Elemental analysis showed the presence of calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron, sodium, copper, zinc and potassium. Methanol extractive value, Foaming and Swelling indices were 25.83%, < 100 and 5 ml/g, respectively. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
confirmed twelve constituents in the plant material. The compounds with the highest concentrations are kaempferol, phyllochrysine, phyllanthine and betulinic acid. From this research work, standardization indices which could be used for the proper identification of the plant (M. discoidea) so as to prevent adulteration, have been provided. These details could be recorded in an official monograph
chromatography (TLC) revealed the presence of a number of separated constituents in the methanolic extract of the plant. Quantitative determinations for proximate analysis were moisture content (8.23%), total ash (8.62%), crude fibre (3.43%), crude fat (9.10%), crude protein (19.80%)and carbohydrates (59.05%). Vitamin C was present in minute quantity. Elemental analysis showed the presence of calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron, sodium, copper, zinc and potassium. Methanol extractive value, Foaming and Swelling indices were 25.83%, < 100 and 5 ml/g, respectively. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
confirmed twelve constituents in the plant material. The compounds with the highest concentrations are kaempferol, phyllochrysine, phyllanthine and betulinic acid. From this research work, standardization indices which could be used for the proper identification of the plant (M. discoidea) so as to prevent adulteration, have been provided. These details could be recorded in an official monograph
Supervisor(s)
co-supervisor