ABSTRACT

Fresh ripe fruit of Dennettia tripetala was obtained from Etinan L.G.A of Akwa Ibom State. The fresh fruit were separated, washed and sliced. They were sundried for days after which the were ground to powder form prior phytochemical analysis. The result obtained showed that flavonoids, tannins, saponins, alkaloids and HCN are present (+) the fruit, through in very trace form. As a result of this, consumption of the fruit should be encouraged due to it numerous health benefits and no health effect.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page    –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         i

Certification           –         –         –         –         –         –         –         ii

Dedication   –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         iii

Acknowledgements         –         –         –         –         –         –         iv-v

Abstract       –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         vi

Table of contents   –         –         –         –         –         –         –     vii-viii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1     Background of the Study –         –         –         –         –         –         1-4

1.2     Aim and Objectives of the Study         –         –         –         –         4

1.3     Scope and Limitation of Study  –         –         –         –         –         4

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1     Scientific Classification of Dennettia tripetala        –         –         5

2,2     Description of the Plant   –         –         –         –         –         –         6

2.3     Domestic Uses of the Plant        –         –         –         –         –         6

2.4     Review of Phytochemical Constituents          –         –         –         7-8

2.5     Nutritional Components of Dennettia tripetala        –         –         8-9

2.6     Pharmacological Effect of Dennettia tripetala         –         –         9-10

2.6.1  Effect on Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Activities –     –         10-12

2.6.2  Antimicrobial Effect of Dennettia tripetala   –         –         –         12-13

2.6.3  Anti-hyperglycemic Effect of Dennettia tripetala    –         –         13

2.7     Medicinal Importance of Phytochemicals      –         –         –         13

2.7.1  Phenolic Acids       –         –         –         –         –         –         –         13-14

2.7.2  Flavonoids   –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         14-15

2.7.3  Tannins        –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         16

2.7.4  Alkaloids     –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         17

2.7.5  Terpenes      –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         18

2.7.6  Saponin       –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         19-20

CHAPTER THREE: MATERIALS AND METHOD

3.1     Materials     –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         21

3.2     Method        –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         21

3.2.1  Sample Collection –         –         –         –         –         –         –         21

3.2.2  Sample Preparation          –         –         –         –         –         –         22

3.3     Phytochemical Analysis   –         –         –         –         –         –         22

3.3.1  Determination of Alkaloids        –         –         –         –         –         22-23

3.3.2  Determination of Tannins –         –         –         –         –         –         23

3.3.3  Determination of Flavonoids     –         –         –         –         –         24

3.3.4  Determination of Saponins        –         –         –         –         –         24-25

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULT AND DISCUSSION

4.1     Result –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         26

4.2     Discussion   –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         27

CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1     Conclusion  –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         28

5.2     Recommendations –         –         –         –         –         –         –         28

References

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

The use of plant and plant parts for curative purposes have been on the increase as they have show great potentials in reducing and in some cases result total cure to ailments. Various part such as leaves, fruits, seeds, bark, flowers, rhizomes and root have at one time or the other been utilized for these medicinal purpose. Fruit and vegetable intake is the focus of widespread research interest in health (Thompson et al., 2011).

They have historically held a place in dietary guidance because of their concentration of vitamins, especially vitamin C and A; minerals, especially electrolytes; and more recently, phytochemicals, especially antioxidants (Slavin and Lloyd, 2012).

Nowadays, there is noticeable interest in antioxidants and phytochemicals. Antioxidants of interest include those which can prevent the  presumed deleterious effects of free radicals in the human body, and to prevent the deterioration of fats and other constituents of food stuffs. In both cases, there is a preference for antioxidants from natural rather than from synthetic sources (Molyneux, 2004).

The main disadvantage with the synthetic antioxidants is their side effects invivo (Ramamoorthy and Bono, 2007). Infections caused by strains of bacteria that are resistant to orthodox drugs, also called multi-drug resistance (MDR) bacteria, have either found cure or control by the use of bioactive compounds (phytochemicals) isolated from plants. They can help prevent the spread of or totally eliminated infections and diseases.

Dennettia tripetala commonly known as pepper fruit tree is a plant found mostly in tropical Africa, especially in southern, eastern and western Nigeria. Dennettia tripetala tree is a woody plant of at least 3 meters height with simple leaves and abundant fruits widely consumed in southern Nigeria. The Igbos calls it Nmimi, Ibibio and Efik people call it nkarika, Urhobo call it imako, Yorubas call it ata igbere while the Edos call it ako (Isegholi, 2015).

The leaves, fruits and roots of the plant possess strong peppery and pungent spicy taste with a characteristic aroma and fragrance. The fruits and leaves are used as seasoning in preparing foods such as meat, soup and in some local dish because of their instinctive spicy taste. Some communities in parts of southern Nigeria also utilized the leaves and roots in addition to the fruits for medicinal purposes (Adebayo et al., 2010).

Elekwa et al. (2011) phytochemicals screening of the ethanolic extract revealed the presence of tannins, alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, saponins, and terpenoids. These constituents provided a scientific basis for the use of Dennettia tripetala in traditional medicine. Saponins, tannins and flavonoids for instance, are effective against diabetes. They possess antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Researchers have shown that the fruits of Dennetia tripetala when dried consist of carbohydrates (Okwu and Morah, 2004).

Dennetia tripetala also contain protein, fibre, ash, lipids and moisture. Dennetia tripetala also contains trace elements, minerals, and water-soluble vitamins (Okwu and Morah, 2004). These vitamin A and C tend to increase significantly with ripening (Ihemeje et al., 2013). The peppery fruit of Dennettia tripetala are applied to food meant for pregnant women and are important in the diet post partum women during which time it is claimed that spices and herbs aid uterine contraction (Okwu and Morah, 2004).

This study investigated to phytochemical compositions of fruit (Dennetia tripetala).

1.2 Aim and Objectives of the Study

The aim of the study is to carry out phytochemical analysis of Dennetia tripetala fruit.

Objectives of this study are:-

1. To determine the Alkaloid, Saponin, Flavonoid, Tannin and Phenolic acid content of Dennetia tripetala
2. To compare the result of this study with previous studies
3. To make useful recommendation base on the result of this study

1.3 Scope and Limitation of the Study

The scope of this study is only narrowed to the phytochemical analysis of the Dennetia tripetala fruit. This is due to time and financial constraint.