PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND PROXIMATE ANALYSIS OF ROOT OF CURCUMA LONGA LINN.

Abdulrashid Mohammed*, Muhammad Ibrahim Usman, Alhassan Muhammad Wudil, Adamu Jibrin Alhassan, Salisu Maiwada Abubakar and Ngwen Anthony Lat

ABSTRACT

Study on the evaluation of nutritional quality as well as phytochemical screening of poorly utilized plant products is of immense importance. This research work was aimed at screening the phytochemicals in different solvent (Aqueous, Methanol and n-hexane) extracts as well as proximate analysis of root of Curcuma longa Linn using standard methods. The results revealed the presence of Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Cardiac glycosides, Saponins and Tannins in all the three extracts, with methanol extract possessing the highest percentage of the phytochemicals followed by the aqueous extract and finally n-hexane extract. In addition to the above, the presence of balsams, terpenes and steroids, phenol and resins was detected in methanol extract while aqueous extract have resins, terpenes and steroids. Proximate analysis of the root of Curcuma longa Linn showed high carbohydrates content with low moisture, ash, crude protein, crude fiber and fat content.

Keywords: Phytochemicals screening, proximate analysis, Curcuma longa Linn, and Root.