Proximate analysis for bioactive compounds in leaf extract of baphia nitida lodd

Preliminary screening was carried out on Baphia nitida to establish the presence of certain bioactive compounds. Alcohol extract of fresh leaves of B. nitida was obtained and several identification tests, each specific for detecting the presence of a particular chemical compound were carried out, using standard techniques, on the alcohol extract. The chemical compounds tested for include alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, saponnins, flavonoids, reducing compounds, polyphenols, phlobatinnins and anthraquinones. The results showed that polyphenols showed heavy presence and alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, saponins and reducing compounds were present in light amounts. The findings of this test present a rough estimation of the biological (pharmacological) activities of leaf extract of B. nitida. Practically, the actual biological (pharmacological) activities of the individual compounds can only be determined by isolating and testing of these compounds on experimental animals