Levels of total phenolic and flavonoids in <i>Abelmoschus esculentus</i> L. from some irrigation areas of Kano state-Nigeria

Abstract

Vegetables are rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, glucosinolates, vitamin C and their hydrolysis products which may have antioxidant and anticancer properties .This study was carried out to assess the level of total phenolic and flavonoids in selected vegetables from different sampling areas of Kano state-Nigeria. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents in the extracts were  determined by Rhodanine and AlCl₃  reagents and their amount calculated as gallic acid equivalent (GAE) and rutin  equivalent (RE) fresh weight respectively, using UV-VIS spectrophotometer. The result show that, the levels of total Phenolics and Flavonoid contents in okra (AbelmoschusesculentusL) vegetable samples among seven different sampling areas (ʋiz: Bebeji, Kura, Tiga, Minjibir, Tudun Wada, Garun Malam and Chalawa) of Kano-state, Nigeria were determined. Levels of Total phenolic content ranged from 33.33 ± 0.02 to 22.07±0.02 mg of gallic acid equivalent per gram of fresh matter and for flavanoid ranged from 29.97±0.03 to 10.97±0.01 mg of rutin equivalent per gram of fresh matter. The highest content of total phenolic in Okra was found in Bebeji sample and highest content of flavonoid was found in Minjibir sample. The results obtained revealed that, the Okra samples analyzed are potential sources of the bioactive compounds analyzed.

Key words: Flavonoid, phenolic,okra,Irrigation areas.