Author(s):

Asante IK, Owusu E, Essilfie MK, Kwarteng M and Amuzuah O

Abstract: The experiment was conducted on the following grain legumes: Phaseolus vulgaris, two varieties of Phaseolus lunatus, Vigna unguiculata and Vigna sesquipedalis. It was conducted to characterize them on the basis of their phytochemical properties. Total phenol content ranged between 2.84 and 13.04 mg/g GAE about a mean of 11.27 mg/g GAE. Total flavonoid content also ranged from 2.30 to 14.30 mg/g RUE with a mean of 13.41 mg/g RUE. Alkaloid was present in all the extracts of the samples with exception of white seeded Phaseolus lunatus which did not show any activity. Flavonoid, saponin and terpene were present in all methanolic extracts of all the four samples. A total of 17 different bands were recorded for flavonoid with R_f values ranging between 0.06 and 0.82. Saponin gave a total of 19 different bands with R_f values ranging from 0.08 to 0.93. A total of 15 different bands were recorded for terpenes with R_f values ranging from 0.05 to 0.91. From the phytochemical analysis and the thin layer chromatograph profiles the methanolic extracts of the grain legumes investigated are of medicinal values.

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