Percentage Extractive Yield and Phytochemical Profile of Jacquemontia paniculata (Convolvulaceae)

Leaf and stem of Jacquemontia paniculata (Convolvulaceae) were extracted by maceration extraction method using ethanol, acetone and water solvents. The average percentage yield of the leaf part in ethanol (2.86%), acetone (2.37%), and aqueous (1.18%) extracts using gravimetric method were higher compared with stem extracts using the same solvents. Using the t-test there was a significant difference on the percentage extractive yield between the stem and leaf in the aqueous solution. Although aqueous extracts are commonly used traditionally, assays of ethanol extract in the leaf part achieved best yield compared to other solvents. Furthermore, assessment of the phytochemical profile of the leaf and stem extracts (ethanol, acetone and aqueous) of J. paniculata was determined in the study. Qualitative tests for tannins, saponins, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, steroids, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides and reducing sugars were conducted. Overall, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, cardiac glycosides and reducing sugars were found to be present in higher abundance in most of the leaf extracts regardless of the solvents used. These are also present in stem but in moderate to trace amount. Flavonoids in leaf extracts were present in the Ferric Chloride and Lead Acetate Tests but absent in the Alkaline Reagent Test. Steroids are present in stem regardless of the solvent used but absent in the leaf part. Both in leaf and stem extracts, alkaloids are absent. The presence of bioactive compounds in the leaf and stem of this plant is an indication of their many possible therapeutic uses. Present findings were preliminary and further investigation is needed to determine the pharmacological applications, antioxidant potential, cytotoxicity test and structural elucidation of functional groups present from the isolate of the plant.