Phytochemical analysis of Ficus thonningii: A qualitative study

Abstract

This study assessed the phytochemical contents of the aqueous, ethanol, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of the fruit, leaves, root, and stem of F. thonningii at selected concentrations. The contents of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, volatile oils, phenols and flavonoids were determined qualitatively in these extracts at selected concentrations. The results obtained showed that alkaloids are present in the leaves, roots and stem barks of Ficus thonningii. The volatile oil is found in the stem bark, root bark, and fruit (aqueous only) of the plant. Saponin is found to be concentrated in all the extracts of the plant. Phenol is found to be concentrated in the fruit of the plant. Its presence is also confirmed in the leaves (at few concentrations) and present in trace amount in the stem bark. Tannin is found in the fruit, root bark and leaves of Ficus thonningii.  Flavonoids are found in all the parts of Ficus thonningii. The variety of phytochemicals confirmed in the fruit, leaves, stem, and root barks of Ficus thonningii show that the plant is pharmacologically active.