PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND ANTI-NUTRITIONAL FACTORS OF SOLANUM INCANUM (BITTER GARDEN EGG) FRUIT

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Plants are vital components of the world and essential natural resource for human wellbeing. Bitter garden egg (Solanum incanum) is widely used locally for its medicinal properties. This research work aimed at determining the phytochemicals and anti-nutritional factors present in S. incanum fruits. The fruits purchased at Sokoto central market were sun dried, ground into powder and methanolic and water extract was obtained. The phytochemicals and anti-nutritional factors determination were carried out using standard laboratory methods. The results revealed an appreciable amount of flavonoids, saponin, and alkaloid with 13.46, 6.73 and 5.87 g% respectively and low amount of glycoside (0.219 g%). The anti-nutritional factors were found to be present in the order of nitrate (96.14 mg%) > Tannin (75.36 mg%) > phytate (55.05 mg%) > oxalate (54.00 mg%) > cyanide (0.95 mg%). These results demonstrated that the plant is of high medicinal and nutritional importance thus farmers should engage more in farming of this plant in all seasons.