ABSTRACT
The
proximate and phytochemical analysis of Azadirachta
indica was investigated. The bark and the leaves were first extracted by
using both aqueous and ethanol solutions. Proximate analysis showed the leaves
to contain 84.50
0.1 Moisture, 2.52
0.02 Ash, 4.61
0.01 Protein, 0.062
0.02 Fat, 2.64
0.01 Fibre, 89.53
0.02 Carbohydrate, while the bark contained
49.50
Moisture, 7.10
0.1 Ash, 3.30
0.1 Protein, 0.81
0.01 Fat, 6.65
0.02 Fiber and 81.9
0.01 Carbohydrate. Phytochemical screening
showed very strong presence of Alkaloids, Glycosides, Flavonoids, Reducing
compounds and Polyphenol in both aqueous and ethanol extract of the leaves
while the bark showed appreciable presence of Alkaloids, Reducing compounds and
Polyphenol in both aqueous and ethanol extracts. Tannins, Phlobatanin Anthraquinones
and Hydroxymethyl anthraquinones are absent in the bark of the plant while the
leaves do not contain Phlobatanin, Anthraquinones, Hydroxymethyl anthraquinones
in both aqueous and ethanol extracts. Saponins were also discovered to be
absent in ethanol extracts of both the leaves and bark of the plant. It is
discovered that these compounds are present in both the leaves and the bark
hence their combined use in traditional remedies with same therapeutics effects
in treatment of malaria and other ailments.
