Phytochemical, Antioxidant and Proximate Analyses of Citrullus lanatus Rind Extracts

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the phytochemical, antioxidant potentials, and proximate composition of extracts of Citrullus lanatus rind (CLR) in different solvents. Chloroform, n-hexane, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and aqueous extracts of CLR were prepared after which they were subjected to phytochemical, antioxidants, and proximate analysis using standard methods. The ethanol and aqueous extracts of Citrullus lanatus rind were rich in alkaloids, saponins, and terpenoids, while the chloroform and ethanol extract were rich in flavonoids. It was observed that the ethyl acetate, chloroform and ethanol extracts of Citrullus lanatus rind had the highest concentration of total phenolic substances when compared with other extracts considered. The DPPH antioxidant scavenging activity was significantly higher in the ethyl acetate, hexane, and chloroform extracts. The aqueous extract Citrullus lanatus rind was richer in moisture content, but chloroform and hexane extracts were richer in calorie or carbohydrate a relatively high percentage of crude protein in the ethanol extract. With prescence of alkaloids, saponins, terpenoids, and phenolic compounds in ethanol and aqueous extracts of CLR. They may be beneficial in reducing cardiovascular diseases. Also, with improvement in quality of Citrullus lanatus rind, it may be of high medicinal value to man and livestock.