MINERAL ANALYSIS AND COMPARATIVE PHYTOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION OF THREE EXTRACT OF Tetrapleura Tetraptera
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This study examined the mineral composition and phytochemical profile of Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit pods. The fruit pod was purchased from Uselu market, dried and extracted by maceration method using aqueous, methanol and hexane solvents. The elemental composition was analyzed with a portion of the powdered sample using g X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) while phytochemical screening of the three extracts was done via standard methods. Mineral analysis revealed potassium (28.317%) as the most abundant element, followed by calcium (12.962%), magnesium (7.656%), and aluminum (6.413%). Moderate amounts of
Sulphur (1.652%) and chlorine (2.412%) were also detected, while iron was present at a relatively low concentration (1.502%). The dominance of potassium and calcium highlights the fruit’s nutritional potential for maintaining electrolyte balance, bone development, and muscle function. Magnesium and aluminum further contribute to enzymatic activities and possible medicinal value, though the low iron content indicates limited benefit for hemoglobin synthesis and oxygen transport. Phytochemical screening showed that alkaloids, eugenol, and reducing sugars were present across all extracts. Glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, phenolics, and terpenoids were prominent in methanol and aqueous extracts, while hexane extracts yielded fewer polar compounds. Steroids were absent in all extracts. These results confirm that solvent polarity strongly influences phytochemical extraction, with polar solvents yielding a broader spectrum of bioactive constituents
Sulphur (1.652%) and chlorine (2.412%) were also detected, while iron was present at a relatively low concentration (1.502%). The dominance of potassium and calcium highlights the fruit’s nutritional potential for maintaining electrolyte balance, bone development, and muscle function. Magnesium and aluminum further contribute to enzymatic activities and possible medicinal value, though the low iron content indicates limited benefit for hemoglobin synthesis and oxygen transport. Phytochemical screening showed that alkaloids, eugenol, and reducing sugars were present across all extracts. Glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, phenolics, and terpenoids were prominent in methanol and aqueous extracts, while hexane extracts yielded fewer polar compounds. Steroids were absent in all extracts. These results confirm that solvent polarity strongly influences phytochemical extraction, with polar solvents yielding a broader spectrum of bioactive constituents
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