Phytochemical Screening and Anti – oxidant Activities of the Roots and Leaves of Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime orange) grown in Imane, Olamaboro, Kogi, Nigeria

Abstract

Traditional doctors have been utilizing the advantages of the potency of natural plants in the treatment and prevention of several ailments for decades without them or their patience knowing the active ingredients responsible for the potency. Hence the need to evaluate and understand the medicinal bio – active substances present in plants. This work analyses the phytochemical substances and the anti – oxidant activities of the roots and leaves of citrus aurantifolia. The plant parts were collected, dried, pulverized and extracted in absolute ethanol. The extracts collected were analyzed for bio – active substances and antioxidant activities. The results show the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, glycosides, saponins, phenols, tannins, flavonoids, protein and amino acid in both the roots and leaves of citrus aurantifolia. The KMnO4 scavenging effects of the plant parts show them to displayed effective potentials as anti – oxidants as the % KMnO4 radical scavenging competes favorably; (root – 85.60% and leaves – 89.88%) with the reference ascorbic acid (83.82%). This indicate that the plant parts can scavenge free radical from the body. These finding denotes that the root and leave of citrus aurantifolia can be a good source of therapeutic for health management.