Phytochemical, Proximate and Toxicity Studies of Aqueous Extract of <i>Crinum ornatum</i> (Toad’s Onion)

Abstract

Crinum ornatum (Toad’s onion) bulbs were analysed for its phytochemical and proximate composition. Toxicological test was also conducted on the water extract of the bulbs. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, glycosides, cardiac glycosides, saponin glycosides, volatile oils and steroids. The results of the proximate analysis are expressed in percentage dry matter (mean + standard deviation of three replicates); Crinum ornatum contains77.83 + 2.75% moisture, 4.67 + 0.58% ash, 0.67 + 0.29% crude lipid, 4.04 + 0.07% crude protein, 2.67 + 0.29% crude fibre, 87.96 + 0.46% available carbohydrate and 373.99kcal/100g energy value. The medium lethal dose (LD50) of the bulbs’ is higher than 3000mg/kg for the tested animals. The results indicate that, the bulbs can be considered as a spice that could serve as potential sources of flavouring agent with medicinal benefits.

Keywords: Crinum ornatum, Phytochemical, Proximate, Toxicity