Publication Date: 2019/10/08
Abstract: The Aframomum melegueta seed is a spice, commonly used in the management of various health conditions. The quantitative phytochemicals constituent of the extract was evaluated in this study. The seeds used in this study were obtained from the New Market (Oja- tuntun) in Ilorin. The healthy seeds were hand-picked and small-grained. Their quantitative phytochemicals and composition were evaluated using a Spectrophotometer and GC-MS. The study showed that the seeds extract had phenolic content (77.94 ± 0.83 mg/g), tannin (73.52 ± 0.79 mg/g), flavonoid (23.41 ± 0.65 mg/g) and saponin (38.29 ± 0.65 mg/g). The phytochemicals composition also revealed the presence of eleven bioactive compounds among which are Humulene (7.54% and 25.104 Retention Time), Dihydrojasmone (1.38% and 39.203 Retention Time) and Caryophylene (3.66% and 24.040 Retention Time). Other phytochemicals present include, 3-Decanone, 1-(4- hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl) (31.30% and 39.053 Retention Time) which happens to be the best proportion space and 3-Pyridineacetic acid (1.01% and 40.117 Retention Time) which has the smallest proportion space. Thus, this study justifies that the seed is an important source of phytochemical that may contribute in management of different disease and health conditions.
Keywords: Phytochemical, Retention Time, Spectroscopy.
DOI: No DOI Available
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