Phytochemical analysis and proximate analysis of Synura petersenii

Synura petersenii is a fresh water golden-brown protist which is known for its silica scales. It is a unicellular fresh water microalga that is commonly found in fresh water lakes, ponds and slow rivers or streams around the world. 10g each of dry pulverized samples of S. petersenii was extracted using 100 ml each of ethanol, methanol, and distilled water. The extracted sample was tested during the qualitative analysis for the presence (+) of alkaloid, tannins, phlobatannin, saponin, phenol, reducing sugar, steroid, cardiac glycosides, terpenoid and flavonoid in ethanol, methanol and distilled water respectively. Saponin showed highest amount with the value (40.09± 0.03, 21.15±0.01 and 21.45±0.35) mg/100g in ethanol, methanol and aqueous extract (distilled water) while phlobotannin showed lowest amount with the value (12.86±0.60, 13.58±1.07 and 11.54±0.63) mg/100g in ethanol, methanol and aqueous extract. These metabolites have applications in various fields, including pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and cosmeceuticals. And this study is to unveil the bioactive compounds used in the above-mentioned fields. The Proximate analysis was also carried which shows S. petersenii contains high carbohydrate content (89.93%), moderate crude protein (3.69%), total fatty acid (2.72%) and moisture content (2.75%) and low concentration of ash (0.32%) and nitrogen content (0.59%). These food substances are needed in nutraceuticals.