Abstract

THE USE OF FLAVONOIDS AS A MARKER FOR STANDARDIZATION OF LONCHOCARPUS SERICEUS

*Addotey John Nii Adotey and Amoo Isaiah

ABSTRACT

The first part of this project presents the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of the flavonoids from the leaves, root and bark of Lonchocarpus sericeus as a means of verifying folkloric use. The extraction of flavonoids from the various organs of the plant was done and then phytochemical screening tests to determine the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, terpenoids, anthraquinones and tannins performed. The synthesis of the pure flavonoid to serve as a marker compound and its functional group determination were as well carried out. The identification of the flavonoids in the plant was achieved and the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the various organs as well as the synthesized flavonoid established. It was established that a particular kind of flavonoid, chalcone was present in the stems, leaves and roots of Lonchocarpus. The chalcone was found to have both antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. The chalcone present in the plant samples was found to be of higher antioxidant activity than ascorbic acid, a standard antioxidant. This presents useful information towards the standardization of the various organs obtained from the plant.

Keywords: Lonchocarpus sericeus Antioxidant Antimicrobial Chalcone Flavonoids Ascorbic acid.