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.
