Phytochemical screening and proximate composition of aqueous-methanol pulp extract of <i>Azanza garckeana</i> (Goron Tula)

Abstract

Azanza garckeana is a shrub and tropical fruit-bearing tree. It belongs to the malvaeceas family and has spherical woolly edible fruits. In this study, qualitative phytochemical screening, proximate analysis and evaluation of minerals were carried out on the aqueous-methanol pulp extract of Azanza garckeana fruit (Goron Tula). The presence of saponins, alkaloids and phenol were detected. The proximate analysis revealed the presence of moisture (10.90 ± 0.40 %), Dry matter (89.10 ± 0.40 %), ash (4.51 ± 0.40 %), fibre (0.94 ± 0.13 %), fat (3.16 ± 0.00 %), crude protein (6.43 ± 0.29 %) and nitrogen-free substances (74.06 ± 0.24 %). Evaluation of essential minerals revealed the presence of Ca (386.83 ± 0.63 mg/kg), Mg (205.27 mg/kg ± 0.46), Na (9.70 mg/kg ± 0.06), K (774.17 mg/kg ± 0.07), Fe (28.49 mg/kg ± 0.38), Zn (19.92 mg/kg ± 0.41) and P (161.62 mg/kg ± 0.25). The result shows that the aqueous-methanol pulp extract of Azanza garckeana (Goron Tula) contain phytochemicals, proximate composition, as well as high mineral content, which may give credence to it medicinal and dietary uses.