International Journal of Modern Botany 2012, 2(4): 97-102 DOI: 10.5923/j.ijmb.20120204.06 Phytochemical Screening of Tacca Leontopetaloides (L.) Kuntze Collected from Four Geographical Locations in Nigeria T. I. Borokini1,*, A. E. Ayodele2 1National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB), Moor Plantation, P. M. B. 5382, Ibadan, Nigeria 2Department of Botany, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria Abstract This study focused on the screening of leaves and tubers of Tacca leontopetaloides (L.) Kuntze collected f ro m different locations for the presence of secondary metabolites and to determine the extent of the environment on these constituents. The study showed the presence of alkaloids, saponins and tannins in the leaf of T. leontopetaloides while only alka loids were present in the tubers. Variations in the presence of alkaloids and cardiac glycosides in the leaf and tuber samples of the plant were observed. It was noted that environmental factors have a slight effect on the phytochemical content of the same plant in different locations. The pharmacological significance of the secondary metabolites was discussed. Ke ywo rds Tacca Leontopetaloides, Phytochemical Analysis, Taccaceae, Nigeria, Secondary Metabolites produced by cell cultures) among other disciplines[4,5,6,7]. 1. Introduction The principles of chemotaxonomy were elaborated in the past century by A. P. De Candolle. He put forward two Phytochemicals are chemical compounds formed during postulates: (i) Plant taxonomy will be the most useful guide the plants’ normal metabolically processes[1]. Thes e to man in his search for new industrial and medicinal plants; chemicals are often referred to as secondary metabolites of (ii) Chemical characteristics of plants will be most valuable which there are several classes including alkaloids, to plant taxonomy in the future[8]. flavonoids, coumarins, glycosides, gums, polysaccharides, Tacca leontopetaloides (L.) Kuntze is a wild perennial phenols, tannins, terpenes and terpenoids[2]. According to herb belonging to the family Taccaceae. Tacca (L.) Kuntze is Heldt[3], most of these phytochemicals are produced the only genus in the family Taccaceae, a newly-developed through biosynthesis in the metabolic pathways. plant family carved out of the Dioscoreaceae, but both The knowledge about these phytochemicals, including the families still share a close taxonomic relat ionship[9]. The discovery of several new organic substances is of importance plant is native to Malaysia and the Pacific Islands[10,11] and to many disciplines. These include: Botany (utilization of the it is naturally distributed from Western Africa, through chemical and biosynthetic knowledge for studyingsystemat Southern Asia to northern Australia. Because of its wide ics and evolution, as an aid in botanical classification), distribution, the plant has numerous common and Ecology (studies on the structural variation of secondary synonymous scientific names, but Polynesian arrowroot metabolites in space could convey to the discovery of appears to be the most widely used. In Yorubaland, adaptive mechanisms and coevolution of organisms in their Southwest of Nigeria, it is called ‘aduro susu’ or ‘akana ecosystems and to the knowledge of defense, pollination and maigbo’, while it is called ‘Giginya biri’ or ‘Gaatarin dispersion strategies of plant species), Pharmacology zoomoo’ in Hausa language, Northern Nigeria. The plant is (chemical diversity of phytochemicals represents an endless more widespread in the middle belt of Nigeria[12] and in the source of new drugs and the pharmacological investigation Southwestern states. This plant produces edible tubers and of phytomedicines and accelerate the development of also fleshy sweet-tasting fruits which are dispersed by birds screening techniques), Biotechnology (phytochemical and mammals[13]. The plant still remains in the wild and is analysis furnishes the background for the selection of species underutilized in Nigeria. for micropropagation and for monitoring infochemicals In Northern Nigeria, the tubers are eaten especially when other staple foods are[11]. Although the tubers are poisonous, * Corresponding author: [email protected] (T. I. Borokini) the poison is removed by soaking or washing and rinsing the Published online at http://journal.sapub.org/ijmb starchy tubers in water repeatedly, after which they can be Copyright © 2012 Scientific & Academic Publishing. All Rights Reserved processed for food. The tuber contains starch, ceryl alcohol, 98 T. I. Borokini et al.: Phytochemical Screening of Tacca Leontopetaloides (L.) Kuntze Collected from Four Geographical Locations in Nigeria steroidal saponins and a bitter principle, Taccalin[9]. The 2.2. Phytochemical Screening grounded root is put on guinea worm infected area to stop the The leaf and tuber samples of T. leontopetaloides epidemics, and is also taken in infusion to treat hepatitis. In collected from the four different locations were air dried till Plateau state of Nigeria, a root preparation is used for snake they were observed to have constant weight. Thereafter, they bite and some other ailments. The water in which the tuber were pulverized into powdery form, using Thomas Wiley gratings have been washed is used as a detergent[14]. The mechanical blender. The powdered leaf samples were tubers are a potential starting point for making alcohol; the screened for the presence of alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, flowers are rubbed on a snake bite; the fruits are edible; and anthraquinones, saponins and tannins. in Plateau state of Nigeria, the plant finds relevance in 1. Alkaloi ds: Drangendoff’s reagent was used and the traditional worship and sacrifices[14]. method described by Harborne[16] was adopted. Grinded Furthermore, the bitter raw tubers are used to treat and powdered leaves (0.2 g) were extracted with 95% stomach ailments, mainly diarrhea and dysentery in many ethanol in a Soxhlet extractor for six hours and the ethanolic Polynesian Islands[11,15]. The root starch is used to stiffen extract evaporated to dryness using a vacuum evaporator at fabrics in some of the Islands[14]. In traditional Hawaii 45℃. The residue was redissolved in 5 ml of 1% HCl. The medicine, the raw tubers are mixed with water and red clay resultant solution was divided into three sections, and to each and consumed to treat diarrhea and dysentery, as well as to of these portions, a small quantity of the following was stop stomach hemorrhage. In Ivory Coast, a leaf decoction is added: (a) 5 drops of Drangendoff’s reagent (Potassium taken orally for scrotal elephantiasis and for oedema of the Bismuth Iodide); (b) Mayer’s reagent (Potassiomercuric stomach[14]. iodide solution); and (c) Wagner’s reagent (Solution of Despite the widely achieved importance of phytochemica Iodine in Potassium Iodide). Colour changes were observed ls from plants, only very few tropical species have been to draw inference for each of the three portions. screened[7]. Therefore, this study was aimed at screening the 2. Saponins: The persistent frothing test for saponins leaves and tubers of T. leontopetaloides collected from described by Odebiyi & Sofo wora[17] was used. To 1 g of different locations with the aim of discovering its the powdered leaf sample, 30 ml of tap water was added. The photochemical constituents and to determine the extent to mixture was vigorously shaken and heated. The sample was which environmental factors affect the phytochemical observed for the formation of froth to draw inference. contents among the samples. 3. Tannins: The method of Trease & Evans[18] was adopted. 0.5 g powdered leaf sample was dissolved in 5 ml of distilled water, then boiled gently and cooled. 1ml of this 2. Materials and Methods solution was put in a test tube and 3 drops of ferric chloride 2.1. Collection of Plant Materials solution was added. The colour of the sample was observed to draw inference. Fresh samples from locations across the country were used 4. Car di ac glyc osides: The method of Trease & Evans[18] for the study (Table 1 and Fig. 1). was used. 1 g each of the powdered sample was extracted Ta b l e 1 . Collection sites of the four samples of Ta c ca leontopetaloides (L.) with 10 ml of 80% alcohol for 5 minutes. The filtrates were Kunt ze diluted with equal volumes of distilled water. Few drops of Specimen Lo calit y Collector/No Dat e collect ed acetate was added to the diluted filtrate, which turns milky Mr. B.O and then filtered. The filtrates were extracted with aliquots of Ishua/Ifira Road, A Daramola 30th July 2009 Akoko, Ondo State chloroform and then divided into two portions for the UIH/09/245 Keller-Killani test and Kedde tests. For Keller-Killani test, Olokemeji Road, Mr. T.I Borokini 11th August B cooled filtrates from the 4 samples were dissolved separately Eruwa, Oy o St at e UIH/09/246 2009 Bazza, Michika in 3 ml of Fe Cl3 reagent (containing 0.3 ml of 10% FeCl3 in Mr. T . Colman 10th May C LGA, Adamawa 50 ml glacial acetic acid). 2 ml of H2S04 were carefully UIH/09/244 2009 St ate added to the filtrate and the resulting reaction was observed. Along hill 2, OAU, Mr. T.I Borokini 25th May D For Kedde test, filt rates of the four samp les were mixed eith Ile-Ife, Osun St at e UIH/09/247 2010 1 ml of 2% 3,5-dinitobenzoic acid in ethanol. The resulting Ta b l e 2 . Indicators for the presence of the phytochemicals solutions were made alkaline with 5% NaOH and the colouration was observed to draw inference. Secondary S/N Positive indicator Metabolites 5. Anthraquinones: The method described by Trease & 1 Alkaloids Orange precipitat e Evans[18] was adopted. 5 ml of chloroform was added to 0.5 2 Tannins Greenish-black colourat ion g of the powdered dry seeds of each specimen. The resulting 3 Anthraquinones Bright pink colourat ion mixture was shaken for 5 mins after which it was filtered.