Phytochemical Screening, Quantification, and Fractionation of Aqueous Methanolic Extract of Spathodea Campanulata Stem Bark

ABSTRACT:

Plants produce a good deal of secondary metabolites which have benefited mankind in various ways including treatment of diseases. The present study was carried out to identify and isolate the different phytochemicals present inS. campanulata stem bark aqueous methanolic extract, to quantify these phytochemicals, and to identify different fractions of the extract of S. campanulata. The study carried out was an experimental one, done at Kampala International University Western Campus (KIU-WC), Bushenyi, Uganda. Result from the phytochemical studies indicated the presences of flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, saponins, and phlobatannins. It is indicated that there was a slight different in the yield of infochemicals in the aqueous methanolic extract of S. campanulata stem bark. The pecrcentage yields of phytochemicals were as follows: alkaloids 14.26%, flavonoids 18.22%, tannins 22.70%, and saponins 36.84%. The mobile phases 4:1 and 1:1 eluted fewer compounds than 1 :4. Since the mobile phase of hexane/methanol= 1 :4 gave a good separation and eluted more compounds than the other mobile phases, the plates from this mobile phase were used for analysis. Spathodea campanulata stem bark aqueous methanolic extract contains tannins, saponins flavonoids, and alkaloids compounds. Further studies should be done to determine the therapeutic and/or pharmacological activities of the phytochemicals.