Elemental and Molecular Composition of Terminalia Brownii's Bark

Abstract

Tarminalia Brownii is a plant used for many purposes. It is used as a source of fire wood, for animal fodder or as a traditional medication for a number of diseases. The chemical elements and compounds present in the plant's bark were investigated using a number of analytical techniques, in order to collect more information pertaining to the chemistry of the plant's bark. Powdered air dried bark chips were analyzed for their contents of: dry matter (DM), moisture, crude protein, total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) and acid detergent fiber (ADF). In addition elemental and molecular compositions were investigated using ICP and FT-IR, while XRF was utilized to determine the crystalline state. The bark samples are found to contain high calcium concentrations (68%) present in the form of calcium and potassium oxalates, Chloropicrin and Diphosphoryl chloride. Only calcium oxalate monohydrate (Whewellite) is present in crystalline form