Evaluation of Chemical Compositions and Antioxidant Properties of Mentha Spicata and Cymbopogon Citratus Leaves
Chapter One
AIM AND OBJECTIVES
This research is aimed at the evaluation of the chemical composition of Mentha Spicata and Cymbopogon citratus leaves through the following objectives.
- to determine their proximate composition
- to determine their phytochemical composition
to determine their antioxidant activities - to determine their mineral composition
- to determine their essential oil composition
CHAPTER TWO
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Sample Collection and Treatment
The fresh Samples of Mentha spicata and Cymbopogon citratus leaves were collected from katsina metropolis.The green leaves of Mentha Spicata and Cymbopogon Citratus were airdried at room temperature and ground into powder with mortar and pestle.
Extraction
Aqueous extract was prepared by soaking 10g of the dry powdered leaves in100cm3 of distilled water. The resulting suspension was left overnight at room temperature. The suspension was filtered with filter paper and the filterate was evaporated to dryness at 500C in an oven. The concentrated extract was used for the analysis.
Apparatus/Glassware used
The apparatus used in this study are listed in Table 2.1. Instruments were properly calibrated before use.
Preparation of Calcium standard
- Calcium standard solution; 0.25g of CaCO3 (pre-heated at 105ofor 2 hours) was weighed into beaker to which 15cm3 distilled water and 1.5cm3 of 4M HCl were added. After the salt was dissolved, the solution was boiled to expel CO2. The solution was then allowed to cool and transferred into a 100cm3 volumetric flask and made up to the mark with distilled water. This stock solution contains 1000ppm Ca.
To make a series of standards 2,4,6,8 and 10cm3 of the stock solution was pipette in the 100cm3 volumetric flask to which 50cm3 distilled water. 4.5cm3 conc H2SO4 (97.88% p1.835) and 4cm3 of 5% lanthanum chloride solution have been added to each flask. The flask were then made up to the mark with distilled water.This standard series contains 20,40,60,80 and 100ppm Ca respectively.
Preparation of phosphorus Standard
- Phosphorus standard; standard phosphorus solution was prepared bydissolving 0.22g of potassium dihydrogen tetraoxophosphate (v). KH2PO4 (dried at 1050 for 2 hours) in a 1dm3 volumetric flask with distilled water to give a 1000cm3 stock solution of To make a standard series of 1,2,3,4 and 5ppm; 1,2,3,4 and 5cm3 of the 50ppm stock solution was pipette into six different 50cm3 volumetric flask to each flask, 10cm3 of vanadate-molybdate and 1cm3 of SnCl2 reagents were added and made up to the mark with distilled water. The solution were allowed to stand for 10 minutes for colour development.
Preparation of Magnessium Standard
- Magnessium standard solution ; 0.2g of pure magnesium turnings was weighed into a beaker, 50cm3 of distilled water and 10cm3 of 4M HCl solution were added. The solution made was transferred into a 1dm3 volumetric flaskcontaining 500cm3 distilled water 4.5cm3 of conc. H2S04 was added and the solution was made up to the volume with ditilled water to give 200ppm Mg2+ To make a working stsndard, 0.4,0.5,1.2,1.6 and 2cm3 of the stock solution were pipette into 100cm3 volumetric flask. To each flask, 15cm3 of 5% LaCl37H20 was added and the flask were made up to mark with 0.08M H2S04 solutions. The standard series of 0.8, 1.6, 2.4, 3.2, and 4.0ppm is obtained respectively.
CHAPTER THREE
RESULTS ANDDISCUSSION
Result:
The result of chemicals analysed are present in Tables 3.1 to 3.7
Table 3.1: Proximate Composition of Cymbopogon and Mentha leaves (%)
DISCUSSION
Proximate Analysis
The moisture content of C. citratus and M. spicata are 1.67%and 2.67% respectively. Low moisture content helps to prevent microbial attacks and allows for long storage capacity. The values are low when compared with that of C.citratus (3.28%) (Ojo and Anibijuwon, 2010). And all the values are higher than (0.92%) C.citratus reported by (Emmanuel et al., 2010).
The crude protein content of C.citratus and M.spicata are (17.44%) and (25.32%) respectively. which are higher compared to (12.0% and 15.68%) C.citratus reported by (Emmanuel et al.,2010 ; Omotade, 2009).Thus, from the result, M.spicata could be a good source of protein. Protein is an essential component of diet which supplies adequate amount of amino acids (Pugalenthi et al., 2004).
CHAPTER FOUR
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
CONCLUSION
In developing countries, thousand of rural communities still depends on medicinal plants to cure diseases partly due to high cost of modern drugs. Among these plants are Cymbopogon citratus and Mentha spicata whose chemical compositions were investigated and revealed that Cymbopogon citratus have more crude fibre and available carbohydrate compared to Mentha spicata. On the other hand, the Mentha spicata had more Ash content, moisture, crude protein and energy value compared to Cymbopogon citratus. But the two plants had similar crude lipid content. The carbohydrate content of both plants prove that, the plants can supply adequate calories needed by our body. Both the plants have low mineral elements. The phytochemical analysis revealed that both plants contain Alkaloid, Flavonoid, Proanthocyanidin, Tannins, Phenolics, and Volatile oils, in which Mentha spicata have more of Alkaloid, Flavonoid, Tannins and Phenolics. On the other hand Cymbopogon citratus had more of Proanthocyanidins. The phytochemical and mineral content of both plants justify their medicinal value. Conclusively Both plants are prove to have in vitro antioxidants activities. And a contribution to knowledge.
RECOMMENDATION
- Toxicogical studies should be carried out so as to determine the level of toxic substance and the method of reducing such
- In vivo antioxidant activities of the plant should be carried
- Further studies are however recommended on these plant in order to isolate, identify, characterize and elucidate the structure of the bioactive
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