Tropical Plant Research

K. M. Ogunjobi*, S. O. Abdulwahab, O. F. Gakenou, O. E. Thompson and O. Olorunfemi

*Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/tpr.2020.v7.i3.078

Abstract:
Studies on the phytochemicals of the stem wood of tropical trees are scarce, despite its importance to plant protection and preservation as most researches focused on their leaves and fruits. This research work aimed to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze the phytochemicals present in the stem wood of Gmelina arborea, Tectona grandis and Anogeissus leiocarpus. Freshly sawn timbers were collected from a local sawmill and then grounded into finely powdered wood samples. The powdered wood samples and its extracts were screened for the presence or absence of phytochemicals using standard methodologies. The qualitative screening revealed the presence of various secondary metabolites such as tannin, saponin, steroids, flavonoid, alkaoids and terpene in all the three species. The result also showed that Tectona grandis had the highest percentage of Alkaloid (7.5%), Tannin (4.95%), and Flavonoid (4.67%) while Anogeissus leiocarpus had the highest percentage of Saponin (3.06%) and Terpene (1.45%). This study established the fact that the three selected species studied have potentials in the industries for medicinal and anti-pathogenic usages.