PHYTOCHEMICAL AND FTIR SPECTROSCOPIC ANALYSIS OF BALANITESaegyptiacaSEED AND STEM BARK EXTRACT

With various applications, Balanites aegyptiaca (Desert Date) is a traditional remedy for jaundice, intestinal worm infection, syphilis, malaria, dysentery amongst others but despite its good medicinal properties, it is still considered a lost crop because little or no attention has been put into using it for generation of modern medicines. Hexane and Methanol Extracts from seed and Stem Bark of the plant were analyzed for the presence of phytochemicals and the extract and isolates were also analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer. The result of the analysis revealed the presence of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, resin and other bioactive compounds. The seed FT-IR analysis of Balanites aegyptiaca showed peaks at 3240.63 cm-1 which corresponded to an O-H stretching typical for an aromatic ring. The peaks at 3567.36 cm-1, 2921.98 cm-1, 2359.42 cm-1, 1743.48 cm-1, 1653.33 cm-1 and 1130.91 cm-1 corresponded to C?C stretching typical for alkyne, C-H stretching typical for alkane, C-O stretching typical for Ester, C-C stretching typical for alkane and C-O bending typical for carboxylic acid. The stem bark FT-IR analysis of Balanites aegyptiaca showed peaks at 3396.29 cm-1 and 3374.85 cm-1 representing the bonded –OH group corresponding to aromatic rings of phenol. Peaks at 1065.00cm-1, 1734.06cm-1, 1706.71cm-1, 1230.95cm- 1, 1175.12cm-1 and 1734.06cm-1 was associated to C-O stretching typical for esters. The study would help in developing new economic opportunities for rural communities through cultivation, processing, and commercialization of the plant. Additionally, it could promote environmental sustainability by encouraging the use of locally available resources.