Phytochemical screening and proximate analysis of the leaf extracts of <i>Vitex doniana</i>

Abstract

The method of cold maceration was used in the extraction by serial exhaustive extraction method which involves successive extraction with solvents of increasing polarity from a nonpolar (hexane) to a more polar solvent (methanol) to ensure that a wide polarity range of compound could be extracted. The phytochemical screening of the crude extract of Vitex doniana showed that flavonoids, steroids, phlobatannins, alkaloids, saponins were found to be present. Alkaloids were detected in the methanol, n-Hexane, acetone and ethyl acetate extracts when Wagner`s reagent was used. Flavonoids were detected in the methanol, hexane and acetone extracts when treated with NaOH and was present in all extracts with the exception of methanol extract when treated with lead acetate. Acetone extract indicated the presence of phlobatannins, but phlobatannins was absent in the hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol extracts. Proximate analysis for the leaves of Vitex doniana revealed moisture content (7.04%), crude fibre (8.12%), crude protein (51.80%), ash (5.5%) fat (16.33%) and carbohydrate (11.21%) indicating high nutritional value.