Phytochemical, Nutritional, and Pharmacological Aspects of Brachystegia eurocoma and Tetrapleura tetraptera
Umerah, N.N *
Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Nigeria.
Nwosu, I.C.
Department of ANIMAL Science/Fisheries Science and Management, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Most indigenous plants in Nigeria exhibit a wide range of biological and physiological activities like anti-hypertensive, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-diabetic and anti-carcinogenic. Plants such as Tetrapleura tetraptera and Brachystegia eurocoma also exhibit medicinal properties. This study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition and ethnobotanical effect of “Achi” (Brachystegia eurocoma) and “Uhiokrihio” (Tetrapleura tetraptera). Brachystegia eurocoma and Tetrapleura tetraptera were processed raw and analysed for chemical, phytochemicals, and bioactive substances using standard methods. Moisture, fat, crude fibre, ash, protein, beta-carotene, thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin C and vitamin E content were determined. The data obtained were analysed statistically for mean and standard deviation using SPSS version 20. The result of this study showed that the flavonoids were 0.10 and 0.62%, glycosides 0.20 and 0.74%, saponins 0.81 and 3.40%, lycopene 0.21 and 0.03%, alkanoids 0.60 and 1.26%, tannins 0.11 and 2.56, and phenol 0.81 and 0.28% for B. eurocoma and T. tetraptera, respectively. Conclusively, the ethnobotanical effect of B. eurocoma and T. tetraptera is of great importance for the healthy well-being of individuals and the communities that cultivate it should harness it and utilise it to boost their nutritional status.
Keywords: Brachystegia eurocoma, Tetrapleura tetraptera, ethnobotanical, phytochemicals, bioactive substances