Qualitative and Quantitative Evaluation of Phytochemical Constituents of Ageratum conyzoides L. (Asteraceae)
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Abstract
Ageratum conyzoides L. (Asteraceae) commonly known as Billy goat weed is widely distributed across Tropical Africa and all parts of Nigeria. The plant is well known in folkloric medicine for its anti-haemorrhagic and antimicrobial uses. This research was undertaken to identify the bioactive compounds present in the dried sample of the whole plant using simple chemical tests and to determine their concentrations using gravimetric and spectrophotometric methods. The results of preliminary phytochemical screening showed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, cardiac glycosides, terpeniods, flavonoids, phenols, phlobatannins, and glycosides. The results of the quantitative analysis were as follows; (mg/100 g): alkaloids 38 ± 5.0 (7.6%), flavonoids 21± 3.9 (4.2%), saponins, 7 ± 3.0 (1.4%), terpenoids, 11±2.5 (2.2%), phenols, 0.073 ± 0.02 (0.146%), tannins 0.0225 ± 0.012 (0.0045%), riboflavin 0.014± .0090 (0.0027%), thiamine 0.007 ± 0.001 (0.00133%) and moisture content 177.0±4.77 (35.4%). The results of this research work indicated that Ageratum conyzoides is rich in these essential phytochemicals which may be responsible for its vast biological activities. These findings would also serve as a reference for the concentrations of these phytochemicals in the plant and are reported here for the first time.
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