Phytochemical and proximate analysis of African oil bean (Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth) seed

Abstract

Medicinal plant research is a highly diversified topic of interest owing to applications of their phytoconstituents in drug discovery, human dietary intake, corrosion inhibition, material science research among others. The study revealed the phytochemical composition and proximate determination of Pentaclethra macrophylla benth (African oil bean) seed. The dried seeds of Pentaclethra macrophylla benth were pulverized into fine powder and a portion of it was extracted with n-hexane. The result of the phytochemical screening of the extract from Pentaclethra macrophylla showed that the oil seeds contained terpenoids, cardiac glycosides and saponin while steroids, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, phlabotannins and anthraquinones were not detected. Proximate analysis indicated low moisture content (1.895 %), while other parameter determined include ash (2.033%), crude fibre (17.227%), acid value (8.182), iodine value (101.235), peroxide value (20.06), and free fatty acid (4.091). This extract is a candidate with potential for further study regarding unveiling of their mechanical properties for technological advances.