Evaluation Of The Phytochemical Composition Of The Seeds And Stem Bark Of Detarium Senegalense Gmelin Used In Herbal Medicine In South Eastern Nigeria,

ABSTRACT 

The chemical constituents of the seeds and stem barks of Detarium senegalense Gmelin were studied. Phytochemical screening of the seeds and stem barks extracts revealed the presence of alkaloids. (0.37% - 0.72%), flavonoids (2.28% - 5.68%), tannins (0.47% - 0.79%), phenols (0.35% - 0.67%) and saponins (1.85% - 4.60%). An alkaloid 2 dimethyl 1',1',7,7 - tetrahydroxy 6 -methoxy -1- propoxy 3,4 -dimethylene 1,2,5 - triamine was isolated from the seed of D. senegalense, while an anthocyanidin alkaloid 2- methoxyamine 3,4,5,7 -tetrahydroxy anthocynadin was isolated from the stem bark of D.senegaiense. The mineral constituents were calcium (1.44% - 1.80%), magnesium (0.32% = 0.40%), potassium (0.50% - 0.85%), sodium (0.53% - 0.40%), phosphorus (1.00% - 0.54%), Iron (7.11% - 6.97%), manganese (0.45% - 0.70%), and zinc (5.40% - 6.15%). Detarium senegalense seeds and stem barks were found to be rich in vitamins comprising riboflavin (0.62 mg/loog-0.6 mg/bOg), thiamin (0.14 mg/bOg - 0.27 mg/100g), niacin (2.06 mg/boOg-8.11 mg/loogm) and ascorbic acid (83.6 mg/loog-24.2 mg/bOg). The proximate composition revealed the presence of proteins (20.5%-9.60%), crude fibre (10.5%-17.8%, fats/oil (55.6% - 3.56%), ash (5.00%-5.50%), carbohydrates (8.40%-63.54%) and the calculated food energy (616.0 g/cal-324.6 g/cal). The antibacterial assay showed inhibition against Proteus mirabilis, Pseudornonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coil for the seed and Proteus mirabilis, Kiebsielia pneumonia, Stapbylococus aureus, Pseudomona aeruginosa and Escherichia coil for the stem bark. These results provide scientific basis for the use of the plant for the treatment of infections, diseases and as a preservative of local palm wine in Nigeria.