Ficus ingens (MIQ.) MIQ. (Moraceae): Phytochemical and Proximate Composition
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Date
2017
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Annals of West University of Timişoara, ser. Biology, West University of Timisoara, Romania
Abstract
Ficus ingens commonly called fig is a plant of high medicinally values possessing many of the biological activities like antibiotic and analgesic. The medicinal potentials of this plant lies in its phytochemical constituents. Hence the present study was carried
to evaluate and compare the phytochemical and proximate composition of the bark, leaf and root of this plant. The results of the phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, phenols, flavonoids and glycosides. Aside glycosides, the leaf and root showed significantly higher quantity of aforementioned phytochemicals than those recorded from the bark. Tannins had the highest mean
values of 12.30 ± 0.11 mg/100 g) followed by phenols (3.67 ± 0.03 mg/100 g), glycosides (3.60 ± 0.08 mg/100 g), flavonoids (2.69 ± 0.02 mg/100 g) and saponins (0.64±0.02 mg/100 g). Results of the proximate composition showed the root had significantly higher amount of ash, crude protein, crude fat and carbohydrate with lowest moisture when compared to the other plant part. Fibre was highest in leaf followed by root and bark. Generally, the plant a good source of fibre and poor source of fat as indicated by mean values of 37.26 ±0.04% and 2.19 ± 0.02% respectively. The present investigation revealed that the leaf and root of Ficus ingens contained bioactive substances that are attest to their usefulness in the treatment of several ailments. The parts could also find their usefulness in drug making.