Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening of Solanum torvum

Solanum torvum is intensively used worldwide in herbal medicine in the treatment of different diseases condition. This study was carried out to investigate the presence of phytochemicals and to determine the percentage of phytochemical constituent in S. torvum leaf and fruit. Qualitative phytochemical screening carried out on S. torvum leaf and fruit shows that phenols, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, steroids, terpenoids, anthraquinones and alkaloids were present. The quantitative phytochemical screening reveals that there is no significant difference in the tannin, terpenoids and phenol contents of S. torvum fruits and leaves but there is a significant difference in the alkaloids, flavonoids and saponins contents of S. torvum fruits and leaves. The alkaloids contents of S. torvum leaves is significantly higher than the fruit while the flavonoids and saponins contents of S. torvum fruits is significantly higher than that of the leaves. The leaves and fruits of S. torvum were screened for elemental iron and the results reveals the presence iron in an adequate concentration. From this study, it could be concluded that extracts from S. torvum fruits and leaves are potential source of useful drugs both for human and animal health.