Phytochemical Screening of Citrullus lanatus Leaf Aqueous Extract

¹Biu, A.A., ²Buratai, L.B. ²Onwuatogwu, J., ¹Mohammed, A. and ²Agada, N.O.

¹Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.

²Department of Biochemistry, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria

E-mail:  biuvet@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Qualitative phytochemical analysis of the aqueous extract of Citrullus lanatus leaf was conducted in this study using standard procedures. The aqueous extract of C. lanatus leaf contained terpenoids, cardiac glycosides and ketoses in high concentrations(+++); tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, carbohydrates, combined reducing sugars and reducing sugars were detected in moderate concentrations (++). Free and combined anthraquinones, monosacharrides, pentoses, soluble starch and saponins were not detected. Conclusively, the aqueous extract of C. lanatus in this study contains pharmacological components.