Abstract

PHYTOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND PROXIMATE CONSTITUENT OF ASS HAY (DONKEY SKIN)

Iloputaife E. J.,* Enweani I. B. and Mbah-Omeje K. N.

ABSTRACT

The present study investigates the phytochemical properties and proximate constituent of ass hay.The ass hay extracts were subjected to quantitativeandqualitative phytochemical screening and proximate analysis. The qualitative phytochemical screening of the aqueous, ethanolic and methanolic extracts of ass hay revealed the presence of saponins, glycosides, alkaloids and steroids. While tannin, flavoniods, terperniods, phenol and resin were absent. Quantitative phytochemical screening of the different samples of ass hay revealed varying quantities of the secondary metabolites in the different samples; glycoside was highest (13.54%) in oven dried sample and lowest (8.80%) in the sun dried sample, Alkaloids was highest (7.11%) in fresh sample and lowest (1.49%) in oven dried sample, Saponins was highest (5.49%) in fresh sample and least (1.07 %) in sun dried sample. Proximate analysis of Ass Hay indicated that Ass Hay contains a relatively appreciable quantity of the proximate components which includes lipids, fiber, protein, moisture and carbohydrate though at varied quantities with oven dried samples showing the highest ash and crude fiber contents. The presence of phytochemicals and appreciable quantity of proximate components from this study has shown the antimicrobial potential of ass hay and at such the need to further exploit donkey ass hay in order to maximize its potential.

Keywords: Aqueous, ethanolic and methanolic.