Phytochemicals and some Heavy Metal detection in Ripe Healthy Mesocarp Raphia hookeri fruits

Main Article Content

F. I. Okungbowa
O. D. Esiegbuya
O. B. Okogbenin

Abstract

A study of the phytochemical and heavy metal composition of ripe R. hookeri fruits was carried out using the Buck 200 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) method described by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists. The study revealed the presence of phytochemicals such as phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponin, oxalate and quinines at 0.0302%, 23%, 4% 0.0185%, 0.0225% and 0.015% respectively. Tannin was not detected. The heavy metals were copper (1.93ppm), cadmium (1.43ppm) and chromium (1.93ppm). Lead was not detected. Oxalic acid and the heavy metal cadmium detected in the ripe healthy mesocarp of R. hookeri fruits are undesirable components in human food because of their potential risk in causing urinary disease and increasing the nutritional toxic level of food samples. It is therefore recommended that the consumption of R. hookeri fruit be discouraged due to its possible health risk. However, other economic benefits due to the presence of phytochemicals, such as its use in herbal medicine, tissue culture, as a purgative, anti-microbial, anti-tumor and anti-cardiovascular agents can be exploited.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Article Details

How to Cite
Okungbowa , F. I., Esiegbuya, O. D., & Okogbenin , O. B. (2020). Phytochemicals and some Heavy Metal detection in Ripe Healthy Mesocarp Raphia hookeri fruits. Nigerian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Applied Science Research, 3(2), 29–34. Retrieved from http://mail.nijophasr.net/index.php/nijophasr/article/view/63
Section
Articles
Author Biographies

F. I. Okungbowa

Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Benin, Benin City.

O. D. Esiegbuya

Plant Pathology Division, Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), Benin City.

O. B. Okogbenin

Plant Pathology Division, Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), Benin City

References

Adaigbe, V. C., Ataga, C.D., Obibuzor, J.U., Ogbebor, C.O., Udoh, M.E., Okere, C. I and Okogbenin, O.B (2013). Efficacy of Raphia fruit

extract in the management of termites.

Akinyele, I.O. and Osibanjo, O (1982). Levels of trace elements in hospital diet. Food Chemistry, 8: 247-251.

Apostoli, P and Catalani, S. (2011). Metal ions affecting reproduction and development. Metal Ions in Life Science, 8: 263-303.

Castro-González, M.I. and Méndez-Armenta, M. (2008). Heavy metals: Implications associated to fish consumption. Environmental Toxicology & Pharmacology, 26, 263-271.

Coe, F.L., Evan, A. and Worcester, E. (2005). Kidney stone disease. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 115 (10): 2598–608.

Danish Environmental Protection Agency. (2000). Guidance regarding Advice of inhabitants of slightly contaminated soil (in Danish) Danish EPA, Office of soil contamination: Copenhagen.75p.

DEFRA and Environmental Agency. (2002). Contaminated land exposure assessment model (CLEA): technical basis and algorithms. Reports CLR 10. Available from the R&D Dissemination centre, WRC plc. Swindon, Witts.

Elinder, CG. and Jarup, L. (1996). Cadmium exposure and health risks. Recent findings. Ambio. 25 5:370-373.

Esiegbuya, D.O., Okungbowa, F.I., Oruade-Dimaro, E.A and Airede, C.E (2013) Proximate and phytochemical analyses of Raphia hookeri fruits. Nig. J. Mycol. 5: 1-7

Hung, H.C., Joshipura, K.J., Jiang, R., Hu, D. Hunter, F.B. and Smith-Warner, S.A. (2004) Fruit and vegetable intake and risk of major chronic disease: Journal National Cancer Institute, 96(21):1577-1584.

Itanna, F. (2002). Metals in leafy vegetables grown in Addis Ababa and toxicology implications. Ethiopian. Journal of Health Development, 16: 295-302.

Middleton, E. and Kandaswani, C. (1992). Effect of flavonoids on immune and inflammatory functions. Biochemistry and Pharmacology, 43:1167-1171.

Miller, N.J., Castellucio C., Tijburg, L. and Rice-Evans, C. (1996): The antioxidant properties of the aflavins and their gallate esters – radical scavengers or metal chela¬tors? FEBS Letters, 392: 40–44.

Ndon B. A. (2003). The Raphia Palm Economic Palm Series. 1st ed. Concept publication series. Lagos, Nigeria. 156p

Nijveldt, R.J., Nood, E., Hoorn, D.E., Boolens, P.G., Norren, K. and Leeuwen, P.A. (2001) Flavonoids: A review of probable mechanisms of action and potential implications European Journal of Cancer Prevention, 32: 401-405

NRC National Research Council 1989 USA Recommended Dietary Allowances 10th ed. National Academy Press Washington DC.

Rao, A.V. and Rao, (2007) Carotenoids and human health Pharmacological Research, 55 (3):207–216

Reilly, C. (1991) Metal contamination of food Elsevier Science Publishers Lt 2nd Ed. London and New York

RTI. (2000). Toxicological profile for chromium. Syracuse Research Corporation for U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta.

Wahlqvist, M. L., Wattanpenpaiboon, N, Kouris-Blazos, A., Mohandoss, P. and Savige, G.S.(1998) Dietary reference values for phytochemicals? Procedure of Nutritional Society Australia 22: 34–40.

WHO. (2004). Evaluation of certain food additives contaminants. Sixty-first report of the joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. WHO Technical Report Series, No. 922.

WHO. (2006). Evaluation of certain food contaminants. Sixty-fourth report of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. WHO Technical Report Series, No. 930.