Phytochemical Analysis On Moringa Oleifera And Azadrichta Indica Leaves
Phytochemical analysis of Moringa oleifera and Azadirachta indica leaves unveils a comprehensive examination of the bioactive compounds present in these botanical entities. Moringa oleifera, commonly known as the drumstick tree, and Azadirachta indica, also referred to as neem, are renowned for their rich medicinal properties. The investigation delves into identifying and quantifying various phytochemical constituents such as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, and terpenoids, among others, present in the leaves of both plants. This analytical exploration is instrumental in understanding the therapeutic potential and nutritional value associated with these plants. The research underscores the significance of these bioactive compounds, showcasing their diverse health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Moreover, the findings contribute to the ongoing discourse on harnessing natural sources for pharmaceutical and nutritional purposes, emphasizing the need for further studies to fully unravel the potential applications of Moringa oleifera and Azadirachta indica in promoting human health.
Studies were conducted to determine the phytochemicasl present in
moringa olrifera and Azadrichta indica leaves. Leaves for this work were
washed, room dried ground to powder. The ground leave for both
sample were soaked in four different solvent; Ethanol, n-Hexane, Ethyl
acetate and water for 24 hours. After the contact elapsed the solvent
were filtered to recover the extract. Qualitative analysis was carried out
on the extract; the result showed moringa oliefera to contain saponin,
flavonoid, tannin, phenol, steroid and glycoside. Azadrichta indica
contains; saponin, flavonoid, tannin, Alkaloid, steroid and glycoside.
Quantitative anaylsis were jalso carried on the extract and the result
showed moringa oliefera and Azadrichta indica to contain in percentage
flavonoid (21.8 : 23.80), Alkaloids (5.00 : 8.20), saponin ( 0.70 : 1.10 ),
phenol ( 0.76 : 1.49 ), Tannin ( 0.08 : 0.57 ) and Glycoside ( 0.005 :
0.0062 ) respectively for moringa oliefera and Azadrichta indica. In the
qualitative analysis water was the best solvent for extraction and
quantitative analysis; flavonoid, alkaloid, tannin, saponin, phenol and
glycoside have higher percentage in Azadrichta indica than moringa
oleifera.
Title page
Certification
Dedication
Acknowledgement
Abstract
Table of content
List of figure
List of table
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 Background of study 1
1.2 Phytochemical 3
1.2.1 Activity of phytochemical 4
1.3 Statement of problem 5
1.4 Aims and Objectives of study 6
1.5 Significant of study 6
1.6 Scope of study 6
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 Literature review 7
2.1 Botany of Moringa oleifera 7
2.1.1 Classification 7
2.1.2 Origin and Habitat 8
2.1.3 Description 9
2.1.4 Ecology and cultivation 9
2.1.5 Traditional uses 11
2.1.6 Common name 12
2.1.7 Pharmacological activity of Moringa oleifera 13
2.2 Botany of Azadrichta indica 18
2.2.1 Classification 18
2.2.2 Origin and habitat 19
2.2.3 Description 19
2.2.4 Ecology and cultivation 21
2.2.5 Traditional uses 22
2.2.6 Common name 22
2.2.7 Pharmacological activity of Azadrichta indica 22
2.3 Phytochemical 26
2.3.1 Types of phytochemicals 27
2.3.1.1 Tannin 28
2.3.1.2 Phenol 29
2.3.1.3 Saponin 30
2.3.1.4 Steroids 31
2.3.1.5 Flavonoids 33
2.3.1.6 Alkaloids 35
2.3.1.7 Glycosides 36
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 Materials and Methods 37
3.1 Collection and preparation of material 37
3.2 Equipment / apparatus 37
3.3 Reagents 38
3.4 Methods 39
3.4.1 Qualitative Analysis 39
3.4.2 Preparation of Wagner’s reagent 40
3.4.3 Preparation of Mayer’s reagent 40
3.4.4 Test for Alkaloid 40
3.4.5 Test for Saponin 41
3.4.6 Test for Flavonoid 42
3.4.7 Test for Steroid 42
3.4.8 Test for Tannin 42
3.4.9 Test for Glycoside 43
3.5 Quantitative Analysis 43
3.5.1 Flavonoid determination 43
3.5.2 Alkaloid determination 44
3.5.3 Tannin determination 44
3.5.4 Saponin determination 45
3.5.5 Glycoside determination 45
3.5.6 Phenol determination 46
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 Results and Discussion 47
4.1 Qualitative Analysis result 47
4.2 Quantitative Analysis result 49
4.3 Discussion of result 50
CHAPTER FIVE
5.1 Conclusions 52
5.2 Recommendations 52
REFERENCE 53 – 54
APPENDIX 55 – 58
1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY
From time immemorial, man depended on plants as medicine. From a
historical perspective, it is evident that the fascination for plants is as
old as mankind itself. The plant kingdom represent a rich store house of
organic compounds, many of which have been used for medicinal
purposes and could serve as lead for the development of novel agents
having good efficacy in various pathological disorders in the coming
years.Plants are the richest source of drugs for traditional medicine,
modern medicines, nutraceuticals food supplements, folk medicine,
pharmaceutical intermediates and chemical entities for synthetic drugs
(Hammer et al., 1999). The use of plant product as medicines could be
traced as far back as the beginning of human civilization. The earliest
mentioned medicinal used plant in Hindu culture is found in “Rigveda”,
which is said to have been written between 4500-1600 B.C. and is
supposed to be the oldest repository human knowledge. The active
principle isolated, have provided leads in the development of several
life saving drugs, which are in use today (Rastogi and Mehrotra, 2002).
The isolated active compounds of the plants are secondary metabolites
chemical compound that occur naturally in plant with no nutritional
value to human life. These active compounds are generally called
phytochemical. These phytochemicals play protective roles in plants,
each chemical labeled phytochemical works in different ways, not all
are the same for human, and not all come from the same plants. Some
have shown more promise than others in fighting disease and illness in
humans. There are some basic types of these active compounds that
are found in different fruits and vegetables. We have some of them like
antioxidants, they are present in onions and some other fruits and tea,
they act as preventive measure for premature cell death and some
forms of cancer and aging. Isoflavones or plant estrogen; they are
found in soy and soy products; they are helpful in the year just before
and after menopause. Capsaicin is found in hot pepper and it has been
shown to significantly reduce prostate tumors in size, at least in mice.
Taking capsaicin on a regular basis by eating spicy foods with hot
peppers may prove an excellent preventative agent to prostate cancer
and benign growth of prostate (Ahmedabad 382- 481). This experiment
was carried out on moringaoleifera and Azadirachtaindica leaves.
Moringaoleifera, or the horseradish tree, is a small or medium-sized
about 10 m high perennial softwood tree with timber of low quality
pantropical specie plant that is known by such regional name as
benzolive, drumstick tree, kelor, marango, mlonge, mulangay, nebeday,
saijhan and sajan. Over the past two decades, many reports have
appeared in the mainstream scientific journals describing its nutritional
and medicinal properties (Akerele, 1993).Moringaoleifera is the most
widely cultivated species of a monogenetic family, the moringaceae
that is native to the sub-Himalayan tracts of India, Pakistan Bangladesh
and Afghanistan, it also now naturalizes in West Africa and Nigeria as a
whole.
Azadirachtaindicaon the other hand is a very useful traditional
medicinal plant in the sub-continent and each part of the tree has some
medicinal properties. The plant is native to Asia, but has now
naturalized in West Africa and is widely cultivated in Nigeria as an
ornamental as well as medicinal plant.
1.2 Phytochemicals
Phytochemicals are non-nutritive plant chemicals which occur naturally
in plants that have protective or disease preventive properties. They
are nonessential nutrients, meaning that they are not required by the
human body for sustaining life. It is well-known that plant produces
these chemicals to protect them but recent research demonstrates that
they can also protect humans against diseases. There are more than
thousand known phytochemicals. Some of the well-known
phytochemicals are lycopene in tomatoes, isoflavonesin soy and
flavanoids in fruits.Alkaloids (examples are Caffeine, Theobromine,
Theophylline).Organosulfides(examples are Allicin,Glutathione,Indole-
3-Carbinol,Isothiocyanates).Tannins, steroids, Glycosides etc.
1.2.1 Activity of phytochemicals
Antioxidant – Most phytochemicals have antioxidant activity and
protect our cells against oxidative damage and reduce the risk of
developing certain types of cancer. Phytochemicals with antioxidant
activity includes:allyl sulfides (onions, leeks, and garlic), carotenoids
(fruits, carrots), flavonoids (fruits, vegetables), polyphenols (tea,
grapes).
Hormonal action – Isoflavones, found in soy, imitate human estrogens
and help to reduce menopausal symptoms and
osteoporosis.Stimulation of enzymes – Indoles, which are found in
cabbages, stimulate enzymes that make the estrogen less effective and
thus couldreduce the risk for breast cancer. Other phytochemicals,
which interfere with enzymes, are protease inhibitors (soy and beans),
terpenes (citrus fruits and cherries).
Interference with DNA replication – Saponins found in beans interfere
with the replication of DNA cell, thereby preventing themultiplication of
cancer cells. Capsaicin, found in hot peppers, protects DNA from
carcinogens.
Physical action – Some phytochemicals bind physically to cell walls
thereby preventing the adhesion of pathogens to human cell walls.
Proanthocyanidins are responsible for the anti-adhesion properties of
cranberry. Consumption of cranberries will reduce the risk of urinary
tract infections and will improve dental health.
Phytochemicals are naturally present in many foods but it is expected
that through bioengineering new plants will be developed, which will
ontain higher levels. This would make it easier to incorporate enough
phytochemicals with our food.
1.3 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Moringaoleifera and Azadirachtaindica are plants(leave) are claimed to
have a lot of economic value such as medicinal, nutritional and
pesticidal values. These claims have not been clearly justified.This
research and experiment is therefore centered on investigating,
analyzing and justifying the claims made on these plants (leave). And
also to know the chemical composition responsible for the Medicinal
value of these plant (leave).
1.4 AIM/OBJECTIVE OF PHYTOCHEMICAL
i. Phytochemical anaylsis on the Moringaoleiferaand
Azadiractaindica. In the other words, identify, isolate and
quantify each phytochemical present in the plant material
ii. To describe clearly the unit operation (Extraction process) used
on these plant.
1.5 SIGNIFICANT OF STUDY
To justify the claims made on these plants for its medicinal and
economic values like moringaoleifera is responsible for curing malaria,
reducing high blood pressure and reduces blood sugar and
Azadirachtaindica is responsible curing fever,malaria, bacteria and fungi
disease.
1.6 SCOPE OF STUDY
The phytochemical analysis will be carried out only on the leaves of the
plant under study.
Phytochemical Analysis On Moringa Oleifera And Azadrichta Indica Leaves:
Phytochemical analysis is a valuable scientific approach to identify and quantify the various bioactive compounds present in plant materials. Moringa oleifera (commonly known as the drumstick tree or horseradish tree) and Azadirachta indica (neem tree) are two well-known medicinal plants that have been extensively studied for their phytochemical composition. These plants are rich sources of bioactive compounds with potential health benefits.
Here is an overview of the phytochemical analysis of Moringa oleifera and Azadirachta indica leaves:
Moringa oleifera:
Phytochemical Groups: Moringa leaves contain a diverse range of phytochemicals, including flavonoids, polyphenols, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, and glucosinolates.
Vitamins: Moringa leaves are particularly rich in vitamins, especially vitamin C, vitamin A (as beta-carotene), and various B vitamins, including folate, riboflavin, and niacin.
Minerals: They also contain essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron.
Proteins: Moringa leaves are a good source of protein, containing all essential amino acids.
Antioxidants: The presence of antioxidants such as quercetin, kaempferol, and chlorogenic acid contributes to the plant’s potential health benefits.
Isothiocyanates: Moringa contains bioactive compounds like isothiocyanates, which have been studied for their potential anti-cancer properties.
Phytosterols: These compounds, found in Moringa, may help lower cholesterol levels.
Azadirachta indica (Neem):
Phytochemical Groups: Neem leaves are known for their rich content of phytochemicals, including azadirachtin, nimbin, quercetin, and various limonoids.
Azadirachtin: This is a prominent bioactive compound in neem leaves and is responsible for many of its insecticidal and medicinal properties.
Bitter Compounds: Neem leaves contain bitter compounds like nimbin and nimbidin, which have antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Triterpenoids: Azadirachta indica leaves also contain triterpenoids like beta-sitosterol, which may have cholesterol-lowering effects.
Antioxidants: Neem leaves contain antioxidants like quercetin and catechin, which help combat oxidative stress.
Antibacterial and Antifungal Compounds: Neem has a long history of use for its antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Anti-inflammatory Compounds: Neem leaves have been used traditionally to treat various inflammatory conditions due to their anti-inflammatory compounds.
Phytochemical analysis of these leaves involves various laboratory techniques, including high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and spectrophotometry, to identify and quantify specific phytochemicals present in these plants. These analyses help researchers better understand the potential health benefits of these plants and can guide their utilization in traditional medicine and pharmaceutical research. It’s important to note that the phytochemical composition can vary depending on factors like plant age, growing conditions, and extraction methods.