Proximate Composition and Phytochemical Screening of Combretum Hereroense Seed Powder

Abstract

The objective of the study was to investigate the nutritional and phytochemical properties of Combretum hereroense tea so as to determine its safety and quality. Two solvents; water and methanol: ethanol (50:50, v/v) were used to obtain extracts from the powdered seed. The extracts were subjected to qualitative phytochemical screening using standard procedures. Standard methods were used to measure proximate composition (moisture, crude fibre, crude protein, fat and carbohydrate). The tea was analysed for flavonoids, phenols, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, terpenoids, steroids, glycoside and anthraquinones. The proximate analyses showed that both extracts exhibited a low-fat content, high fibre and the highest value of carbohydrate. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of six (alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, flavonoids, phenols and tannins) out of nine of the phytochemicals that were screened. The methanol: ethanol extract revealedone more phytochemical property (phytosterols) that was not found in the aqueous extract. Both extracts did not possess terpenoids, quinones and anthraquinones. C hereroense tea has the potential to contribute positively to the health of consumers as a beverage.