PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PROXIMATE ANALYSES OF DIFFERENT PARTS OF AZADIRACHTA INDICA A. JUSS

This study was conducted to assess the phytochemical and proximate contents of different parts of Azadirachta indica. The dried and powdered fruit pulp, seed, leaf, stem, stem bark, root and root bark of A. indica were subjected to various sample preparation stages using standard laboratory procedures for determination of phytochemical and proximate composition in the test plant parts. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was employed to test for significance. Means were separated using Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test (DNMRT). The results of the study revealed that there were marked differences (P<0.05) in the phytochemical and proximate contents of the fruit pulp, seed, leaf, stem, stem bark, root and root bark of A. indica. Alkaloid was the highest phytochemical compound in the leaf of the test plant. Alkaloid contents of the leaf and root bark showed the highest and equal values (3.42+ 3.45) respectively, while steroid showed the lowest content in fruit pulp (0.15+ 0.17). Carbohydrate content of the fruit pulp showed the highest value (65.52+ 66.13), while the least was fat content of the root (0.42+ 0.45). This study suggests that the phytochemical values and nutritional components of fruit pulp, seed, leaf, stem, stem bark, root and root bark of A. indica, could be utilized as a good source of nutrient supplement, as well as source of useful pharmaceutical products.