Phytochemical screening, antioxidant activity, antimicrobial activity and heavy metal quantification of <i>Chrysophyllum albidum</i> fruit extract (sapotaceae)

Abstract

Background: Chrysophyllumalbidum (Sapotaceae) is a forest fruit tree described by the Scottish botanist George Don. It is commonly found throughout tropical Africa with the common name “white star apple”. Chrysophyllumalbidumis popularly called Agbalumo in the Southwestern region of Nigeria andclosely related to the African star apple (Chrysophyllumafricanum).

Objectives: This study aims to determine the phytochemical constituents of the Chrysophyllumalbidum fruits, quantify its heavy metals composition and also determine the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of the fruit.

Material and Methods: Phytochemical screening of the fruit extract was carried out using standards methods while the antioxidant activity was done using DPPH (2, 2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl). Atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used to detect and quantify the level of some toxic metal (Cadmium, Lead, Iron, Copper, Chromium, Zinc) contamination of the fruit. Antibacterial assay was carried out using disc diffusion method with measured zones of inhibition.

Results: Results obtained reveal the presence of flavonoids, indicative of its antioxidant potentials, tannins and saponin. Heavy metals were also found to exist in varying amount in the fruit with the conspicuous absence of Cadmium. The antimicrobial assay showed increasing activities with increasing concentrations.

Conclusion: The fruit of C. albidum, thus possesses antibacterial and antioxidant activities and are so beneficial for consumption. However stringent environmental control needs to be put in place to minimise the level of soil contamination with heavy metals through various human explorative activities.

Keywords: Heavy metal, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Chrysophyllumalbidum