Characterization and anti-oxidant activity of Cucurbita maxima Duchesne pulp and seed extracts
Journal Title: The Journal of Phytopharmacology - Year 2018, Vol 7, Issue 2
Abstract
The study aimed to characterize phytochemical composition of C. maxima seeds and pulp. The ethanol and aqueous extract of C. maxima seeds and pulp were done using percolation method. The phytochemical composition of ethanol and aqueous extract were determined using methodology described by the association of official analytical chemists. Qualitative screening of both aqueous and ethanol seed and pulp extracts showed presence of alkaloids, flavanoids, phenolics, carbohydrates, tannins, saponins, terpenoids and proteins. The quantitative tests reported concentration of 0.336g/100g of phenols, 0.012g/100g flavanoids and 0.009g/100g tannins in seed aqueous extracts while 0.213g/100g, 0.175g/100g and 0.016/100g in pulp respectively. The levels of phenols, flavanoids and tannins reported in ethanol extracts were 0.277g/100g, 0.246g/100g and 0.010g/100g in pulp and 0.530g/100g, 0.252g/100g and 0.064g/100g in seed respectively. Saponins were present in ethanol extracts only. The percentage content of alkaloids was 4.9% in pulp and 5.97% in seed aqueous extracts while ethanol pulp and seed extracts was 9.49% and 9.74% respectively. All extracts showed significant levels of anti-oxidant activity at different concentration levels. The presence of these phytochemical compounds shows that C. maxima are a potential medicinal candidate that needs to be explored further for actual use as in pharmaceutical industry.
Authors and Affiliations
Peninah Njoki Muchirah, Rebecca Waihenya, Shadrack Muya, Leila Abubakar, Hastings Ozwara, Anselimo Makokha
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP49793
- DOI -
- Views 209
- Downloads 0
Evaluation of antipyretic, antinocieptive and sedative effects of Tribulus terrestris, Mimosa pigra and Alkanna tinctoria methanolic extracts
This study is aimed to evaluate the of antipyretic, antinocieptive and sedative effects of Tribulus terrestris, Mimosa pigra and Alkanna tinctoria methanolic extracts. The methanolic extracts of Mimosa pigra and Alkann...
Evaluation of phytochemical screening of Coleus forskohlii L. leaf extract
Coleus forskohlii L. plant Extract is derived from roots and leaves from Coleus forskohlii. Coleus is used in India and China folk medicines and is a traditional digestive remedy. Currently this plants levees and roots...
Role of Modern Parameters in Ayurvedic Researches
The recent advances in the field of Ayurveda have motivated many researchers to look at the basic ailments used to explore the Ayurvedic field of research. As we know, now-a-days research is the prime need of contempor...
Antidiabetic potentials of Syzygium guineense methanol leaf extract
This study examines the effects of a methanol extract of Syzygium guineense leaves in streptozotocin (STZ) - induced diabetes, evaluates its effect on alpha glucosidase and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical. Diabet...
Antimicrobial qualities, phytochemistry and micronutritional content of Khaya senegalensis (Desr.) A. Juss seed oil
Khaya senegalensis seed oil is a non-drying oil, which consist of long chain fatty acids. The antimicrobial attributes of the seed oil was investigated using disc diffusion and broth dilution methods. The test microbia...