Studies of Phytochemicals and In vitro Radical Scavenging Potentials of Six Different Wild Fruits Consumed in South-Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Objective: The study was carried out in order to document the phytochemical contents and radical scavenging capacities of different wild fruits consumed in south eastern Nigeria.
 Methods: Phytochemical screening and in-vitro antioxidant studies were carried out using standard method.
 Result: The results of quantitative phytochemical screening indicated the presence of flavonoids, tannins, phenols, terpenoids, alkaloids, saponins, steroids, oxalate and cardiac glycosides in varying concentrations. The in vitro antioxidant study showed that African elemi and African velvet tamarind with EC50 1.68 ± 0.03 and 1.81 ± 0.01 µg/ml respectively scavenged DPPH radical more than other extracts compared to ascorbic acid EC50 1.25 ± 0.02 while wild mango (EC50 0.98 ± 0.01 μg/ml), pepper fruits (EC50 1.75 ± 0.02 μg/ml) and date fruit (EC50 1.88 ± 0.01 μg/ml) scavenged hydroxyl radical more than other extracts used in this study. All the extract showed a concentration dependency in reducing ferric iron to ferrous ion, also date fruit (0.11 ± 0.00 μg/ml) had more of the total antioxidant compounds in this study compared to ascorbic acid (0.22 ± 0.01μg/ml).
 Conclusion: The high quantity of phytochemicals and radical scavenging capacity of the wild fruits shows their importance in nutrition; therefore wild fruits should be included in our daily diet to improve the quality and nutritional values of food.