Comparative Analysis of Phytochemical Composition and Antioxidant Activities of Methanolic Extracts of Leaves, Roots and Bark of Jackfruit (Artocapus heterophyllus) from Selected Regions in Kenya and Uganda
Redemtor Awuor Ojwang *
Department of Biochemistry, University of Nairobi, P.O.Box 30197, 00100, Nairobi, Kenya
Edward K. Muge
Department of Biochemistry, University of Nairobi, P.O.Box 30197, 00100, Nairobi, Kenya
Betty Mbatia
School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, United States International University, P.O.Box 14634, 00800, Nairobi, Kenya
Benson Mwanza
Department of Biochemistry, University of Nairobi, P.O.Box 30197, 00100, Nairobi, Kenya
Dorington O. Ogoyi
Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Technical University of Kenya, P.O.Box 52482, 00200, Nairobi, Kenya
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Comparative Analysis of Phytochemical Composition and Antioxidant Activities of Methanolic Extracts of Leaves, Roots and Bark of Jackfruit (Artocapus heterophyllus) from Selected Regions in Kenya and Uganda
Aim: To determine and compare the phytochemical composition and antioxidant activities of methanolic extracts of Jackfruit roots, leaves and bark, found in selected regions of Kenya and Uganda.
Study Design: A total of 192 samples of leaves, roots and barks, were obtained from 64 different Jackfruit trees. The samples were then dried and extracted using methanol.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at The University of Nairobi, Chiromo campus, Department of Biochemistry in Nairobi, Kenya. The research was carried out from May 2016 to June 2017.
Methodology: The composition of phenolic and tannin contents were determined using Folin-Ciocalteu method. Flavonoids content was determined through the formation of the flavonoids–aluminium complex assay. Antioxidant activity was determined through the DPPH scavenging activity and the reducing power of the extracts.
Results: The phytochemical composition had significant variation at (P=.05) in all the different parts of the plant. The roots had the highest phenolic content (67.37- 59.00 mg/g), while the bark region had the least (38.14 -28.34 mg/g). The flavonoid content was also highest in the roots (10.74 - 7.31 mg/g) and lowest in the bark region (3.09 – 1.49 mg/g). The tannin contents were equally higher in the roots (3.88 - 2.69 mg/g), and lowest in bark (0.93 -0.52 mg/g). The DPPH scavenging activity was also highest in the roots (66 -72%), while that of the bark was (24 - 40%). The reducing power of the roots, leaves and bark ranged from (114.38 – 93.62 µg/ml), (71.63 -67.04 µg/ml) and (54.16 - 33.15 µg/ml) respectively.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that Jackfruit roots, leaves and bark are natural antioxidants and they have significant variation in composition of phytochemical compounds.
Keywords: Phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, DPPH, reducing power