Phytochemical screening, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and GC-MS evaluation of crude acetonic extracts of Prosopis juliflora

Abstract

Commonly referred to as the Mathenge plant in Kenya, the plant Prosopis juliflora has been considered as a noxious weed within the boundaries of Kenya occupying ASAL lands, colonizing water bodies and affecting livestock by the blocking of their rumens, causing diarrhoea and in some cases leading to the loss of teeth which eventually leads to death. Despite these disadvantages, the plant has been identified in several nations as a plant of great medicinal value being used for the treatment of eye problems, digestive problems, lung problems, and sore throats among other ailments. These medicines have mainly been extracted from the pods, leaves and bark. Acetonic extracts of the heartwood have in recent research been shown to be high in flavonoid content with mesquitol being an isolated compound of interest. This is because mesquitol, in comparison to the existing antioxidants such as catechin, probucol and alpha-tocopherol has been shown to have better antioxidant and radical scavenging properties potentials hence it can be useful for managing diseases such as cancer and diabetes. With the heartwood being significantly different from the other parts of the plant, limited research has been done on the phytochemicals present, their total flavonoid contents, total phenolic content and potential medicinal uses. Phytochemical screening of acetonic extracts showed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids, tannins and no saponins. The total flavonoid content was 33.7 ± 1.22 while the total phenolic content was 53.5 ± 2.6 GAE. GC-MS evaluation of the crude extracts identified five potential compounds namely 2(4H)-benzofuranone,5,6,7,7a-tetrahydro-4,4,7a-trimethyl; 2(4H)-benzofuranone 5,6,7,7a-tetra hydro- 4,4,7a-trimethyl-(R); cyclopentane-carboxylic acid 3-(3-fluorophenylcarbamoyl)-1,2,2-trimethyl; 6,6-dimethyl- 10-methylene-1-oxa-spiro[4.5] decane; and 2-pentanol, 2,4-dimethyl.