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Asian Journal of Biological Sciences

Year: 2012 | Volume: 5 | Issue: 2 | Page No.: 105-112
DOI: 10.17311/ajbs.2012.105.112
Nutritional Evaluation, Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Effects of Aqueous Extract of Picralima nitida Peel
N.A. Obasi, U.C. Okorie, B.N. Enemchukwu, S.S. Ogundapo and G. Otuchristian

Abstract: The numerous ethno-medicinal applications of Picralima nitida plants have called for a high thorough-put investigation of all the parts of the plant including the peel that is usually discarded in order to ensure maximum utilization of the plant. In this study, nutritional evaluation, phytochemical screening and antimicrobial effects of Picralima nitida peel were carried out using standard methods, in order to determine the potentials of this discarded part of the plant. The results of proximate contents indicated the following: moisture (49.6%), ash (16.0%), crude fibre (10.5%), crude lipid (7.4%), crude protein (28.4%) and carbohydrate (37.7%) while its calorific value is 265.8 kcal/100 g. Thus, the nutritional value of Picralima nitida peel is high and as such it could be used as feed additives. The results of phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, tannins and alkaloids and the aqueous extract had antimicrobial activities against Escherichia coli and staphylococcus aureus with varying degrees. The most potent inhibitory effect was observed with Escherichia coli. These results have revealed that the peel and its extracts have pharmacological active compounds and antibacterial effects and as such could be used in ethno-medicine for the treatment of microbial infection and other ailments.

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How to cite this article
N.A. Obasi, U.C. Okorie, B.N. Enemchukwu, S.S. Ogundapo and G. Otuchristian, 2012. Nutritional Evaluation, Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Effects of Aqueous Extract of Picralima nitida Peel. Asian Journal of Biological Sciences, 5: 105-112.

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