EVALUATION OF THE PHYTOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF DRIED DENNEFA TRIPETALA (MMIMI) SEEDS

CHAPTER ONE 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Preliminary Context Demands for opportunity resources of vitamins have extended due to increase in population boom particularly in growing countries and additionally due to excessive price of nutritive fruits and other assets of vitamins. However, some plant life, specially culmination, remain Unexploited. Due to the escalating interest in sustainable options, resources of Dietary component and growing fee of maximum fruits, analysts have growing hobby in Scrutinizing the nutritive value of underutilized culmination which include D. Tripetala (Oboho et al., 2015). Many research had been done to assess the Nutritional Quality and Medicinal efficacy of D. Tripetala the use of The Derivative of diverse components of the tree plant however now not the fruit be counted, there is Consequently, a want to make the most the phytochemical elements of D. Tripetala (Oboho et al., 2015). In the realm of botanical science, a curative flora is defined as any plant species that harbors therapeutic compounds within its cellular structure. These beneficial substances can be found in various parts of the plant, including its foliage, subterranean organs, aerial stems, and reproductive organs. The utilization of these plant parts in the mitigation of pathological conditions has been well-documented. The bioactive principles responsible for these therapeutic effects are complex molecular entities that have evolved to safeguard the plant against microbial invasion and insect infestation. These plant-derived molecules have been extensively studied and characterized from an array of sources, including succulent fruits, cruciferous vegetables, aromatic spices, and infused beverages. The scientific discipline devoted to the investigation of these botanical products is a fascinating field of study that continues to yield valuable insights into the world of plant-based therapeutics(Doughari and Obidah, 2018). Dennettia tripetala (Annonaceae), sometimes known as pepper fruit, is a well known spicy ethno- Medicinal herb discovered in Nigeria's tropical rain forests and occasionally in savannas. It is called mmimi in Igbo and ata igberi in Yoruba (Egharevba and Idah, 2015). Pepper fruits are regarded as an important agricultural product due to their economic significance, as well as their nutritional worth and health advantages. Carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin C), minerals (iron, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, sodium), and fiber are among the nutrients found in pepper fruits. The fruit also includes important oils and phytochemicals, including as flavonoids, alkaloids, and saponins. D. tripetala fruits, when chewed, produce sleeplessness and may slightly raise body temperature due to their peppery and spicy nature. The roots, as well as other plant components, have therapeutic properties. According to research, D. tripetala fruits exhibit antinociceptive insecticidal properties, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, aanti-microbial and anti-hyperglycemic(Ukeh et al., 2012). 1.2 Statement of Problem Various research works and investigations concerning the biological importance of the Dennettia tripetala seeds has been reported over the years but the problem associated with most of the published works are lack of credibility, efficient and effective result that one can work on. There seems to be a controversy on the various results obtained from those works and therefore, the application of the Dennettia tripetala seeds extract is still undermined in clinical, medicinal and nutritional science. The application of Dennettia tripetala seeds is still based on the already established knowledge from traditional folks and historical observations. This present study therefore tends to solve this problem of uncertainty by accurately determining the phytochemical constituents of the Dennettia tripetala seeds and thus strike a balance between the already established knowledge and the expectations of the plants via its medicinal and nutritional value. 1.3 Purpose And Intended Outcomes Of This Research The specific study was carried out to elucidate the phytochemical profile of dried D. tripetala seeds. 1.4 Significance of the Study Phytochemical constituents are an important property of a plant that determines its primary medicinal potential before further analysis. It gives an insight to the various active biomolecule that are of medicinal value, available in a plant and also the amount that can be extracted for further analysis. This present study will be of great significance as it will reveal accurately the phytochemical constituents of the Dennettia tripetala seeds in both aqueous and methanol extract. The result of this study will be important as it will subject this plant for the extraction of these identified biological constituents that of medicinal value and in as much as the quantitative analysis of this plant will be carried out, the result will also indicate the concentration of the various identified phytochemical constituents. For the benefit of both the researchers and the domestic users, the outcome of this study will be impactful as it will elaborate more on the application of the Dennettia tripetala seeds via direct human consumption and therapeutic activities. 1.5 Limitations Of this research This present investigation is limited to The assessment of phytochemical makeup of D. tripetala seeds. The scarcity of the D. tripetala seed was the major challenge here due to the seasonal nature of the plant and the cost of obtaining a good quantity of it greatly affected the already established budget for this analysis. Furthermore, other factors could’ve been considered but due to the high cost of reagents and chemicals used for the analysis, the research was limited to only the phytochemical composition of the dried, Dennettia tripetala seeds