DETERMINATION OF STEROID CONTENT OF AIR POTATOE (DIOSCOREA BULBIFERA)

ABSTRACT This study investigates the steroid content and other bioactive compounds present in the peel and flesh of Dioscorea bulbifera (air potato). Qualitative and quantitative analyses reveal a significant concentration of steroids in the peel, with negligible amounts detected in the flesh. The steroid content in the peel was measured at 0.098 mg/100g, while the flesh exhibited a minimal concentration of 0.0 012 mg/100g. In addition to steroids, other compounds such as tannins, saponins, phenols, glycosides, flavonoids, and alkaloids were identified, with the peel generally containing higher levels of these bioactives. Comparisons with previous research indicate that the peel of Dioscorea species is consistently a richer source of steroids, contributing to its potential medicinal value, particularly in anti-inflammatory and hormonal regulation therapies. The findings highlight the nutritional importance of the flesh, which is rich in flavonoids and glycosides, and suggest diverse applications for both the peel and flesh in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. Recommendations include further exploration of the peel for pharmaceutical use and the flesh for nutraceutical development, alongside comparative research on other Dioscorea species