Comparative Studies of the Secondary Metabolites in the root and leaf of Starchytarpheta cayennennsis (L) Vahl

Abstract

Authors: A. E. Oruk, A. A. Ibuot, & J. O. Echeme

Secondary metabolites are useful components of plants and they can be distributed differently in different parts of the plant. This study seeks to investigate and compare concentrations of secondary metabolites in the root and leaf of Starchytarpheta cayennennsis (L) Vahl. Samples of the roots and leaf of Starchytarpheta cayennennsis were screened and analyses for secondary metabolites. The results obtained indicated concentrations of alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, tannins and cardiac glycocides in the root to be 12.631 ± 0.412, 18.141 ± 0.15, 7.589 ± 0.033, 23.110 ± 0.240 and 1.958 ± 0.195 mg/100g respectively. In the leaf of the plant, the corresponding concentrations were 2.75 ± 0.354, 15.25 ± 0.186;1.75 ± 0.354. 3.077 ± 0.186 and 0.001 ± 0.000 mg/100g respectively Concentrations of the secondary metabolites were higher in the root than in the leaf. Subjection of the data to t-test revealed that there is a significant difference (P>0.05) between the concentration of phytochemicals in root of Starchytarpheta cayennennsis than in the leaf.