Phytochemicals Extraction in Craterostigma Plantagineum Hoscht: Aqueous and Ethanol Solvents

Background: Background: Phytochemicals are plant bioactive compounds that are produced for their protection with some having medicinal value. Craterostigma plantagineum hoscht is a plant that is purported to have medicinal value and is used for treatment of pain, liver and diarrheal ailments. Extensive researches on phytochemicals present in Craterostigma plantagineum hoscht are missing. The aim of this study was to determine qualitative phytochemicals yield in ethanol and aqueous extracts of Craterostigma plantagineum hoscht. Materials and methods: Craterostigma plantagineum hoscht was harvested and allowed to air dry for one month. Grinding into powder form later followed this. Solvents used included 70% ethanol and distilled water. 500mg of Craterostigma plantagineum ground powder was soaked in 70% ethanol for 48 hours, filtered and vaporized in rotary evaporator. Aqueous extraction involved soaking of 500mg of ground powder in 250 millilitre distilled water, set in a shaker for 2 days, filtered, deep frozen for 48 hours and finally freeze dried for 72 hour. Chemicals used to test phytochemicals included 1% gelatin, chloroform, ferric chloride, sulphuric acid, lead acetate solution, magnesium turnings, 10% sodium chloride, acetic anhydride, Mayer’s reagent, ammonia and hydrochloric acid. Results: The yield included flavonoids, Saponins, tannins, cardiac glycosides, phenols, anthraquinones, alkaloids, terpenoids and sterols. Tannins, anthraquinones, flavonoids, sterols, cardiac glycosides, Saponins, and phenols were highly extracted in ethanol while aqueous extract yielded more alkaloids and terpenoids. Conclusion and recommendations: Ethanol extraction yielded more phytochemicals than aqueous. Nonetheless, some phytochemicals were better extracted in ethanol while others in aqueous making the choice of extraction method dependent on the phytochemical of interest.