PHYTOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THE FRUIT SAP, STEM BARK, AND LEAVES OF SOURSOP (ANNONA MURICATA)

ABSTRACT The use of medicinal plants has gradually come back in developing nations in recent years due to reports that they are safe and have no negative side effects, especially when compared to manufactured pharmaceuticals. Therefore, it makes sense to look for novel medications are more effective and affordable from plant-based alternatives. These plants' therapeutic efficacy is derived from a few chemical compounds that have specific physiological effects on humans. Soursop, or Annona muricata, is a plant that is primarily found in southern Nigeria. Most often, it is consumed as fresh fruit. It is mostly grown in backyard gardens. The fruit weighs between 0.5 and 2 kg, and the tree can yield up to 10 tons per hectare. In this study, an attempt has been made to analyze phytochemical composition of the fruit sap, leaves and stem bark of Annona muricata, (Family annonaceae). The result of the phytochemical compositions of the Fruits Sap, Leaves and Stem bark of the Soursop, showed that Alkaloids (8.99 1.08), Tannis (9.24  0.96), Flavanoids (9.24  0.96) Saponins (3.16  1.48), Glycosides (6.82  1.50), Terpenoids (3.38  1.22) and Steroids (3.73  1.33) are highly concentrated at the Stem bark when compared to the Fruit Sap and Leaves. Given the high concentration of the seven (7) metabolites under investigation found in the plant's stem bark, it stands to reason that the stem bark would be more advantageous for therapeutic uses. The phytochemical makeup of Soursop (Annona muricata) fruit sap, stem bark, and leaves is suggested by this study. Given the high concentration of the seven (7) metabolites under investigation found in the plant's stem bark, it stands to reason that the stem bark would be more advantageous for therapeutic uses.