Elemental Composition, Evaluation of Anti-nutrients, and Antioxidant Potentials of Morinda lucida
Osuntokun Oludare Temitope *
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, P.M.B 001, Ondo State, Nigeria
F. A. Olajubu
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, P.M.B 001, Ondo State, Nigeria
T. A. Olorunnipa
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, P.M.B 001, Ondo State, Nigeria
O. A. Thonda
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Morinda lucida is a tropical West African tree of medium-size, having brown colored bark, white flowers and yellowish ellipsoid seeds. It is widely used in traditional medicine systems of different countries. The preliminary phytochemical screening of different extracts prepared from bark, leaves and seeds of M. lucida revealed the presence of Saponin, Tannins, Alkaloids, Flavonoids, and Cardiac glucosides. Furthermore, it also reveals presence of Minerals like Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Iron, Zinc, Copper and Phosphorus were confirmed. Anti-nutrient were also present in appreciable percentage quantities. The anti-nutrients: Phytates, Oxalates and Saponins were present in different concentrations, Furthermore, the percentage of proximate content and in vitro antioxidant potential were also estimated in this current study. The purpose of this present study was to conduct elemental composition, evaluation of anti-nutrient and antioxidant properties of M. lucida.
Keywords: Morinda lucida benth (Rubiaceae), qauntitative methods of analysis, mineral composition, anti-nutrients, proximate method, in-vitro-antioxidant analysis