Abstract

PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF CONYZA ALBIDA AND LEUCAS MARTINICENSIS HERBS OF MASHONALAND PROVINCE, ZIMBABWE

Masimba Tapera*, Felix Tarwireyi and Danisa Matebesi

ABSTRACT

Phytochemicals were extracted from Conyza albida and Leucas martinicensis using ethanol, acetone and ethyl acetate as extraction solvents. All the extracts were screened for flavanoids, steroids, saponins, glycosides, tannins and alkaloids using known methods. Conyza albida extracts were found to contain flavanoids, steroids, saponins, glycosides, tannins and alkaloids in all the three solvent extracts except for glycosides which were absent in the ethanol and acetone extracts. All the Leucas martinicensis extracts were found to contain flavonoids, steroids, saponins, glycosides, tannins and alkaloids. Only the acetone extract of L. martinicensis showed a negative result for steroids. The results revealed the presents of vital phytochemicals in both herbs. The presents of these phytochemicals helps to explain the medicinal properties of these herbs. The herbs can be used as good sources of natural medicine and have potential applications in food, cosmetic, plastic and pharmaceutical industries. There is need for cultivation and preservation of the two herbs in Zimbabwe and abroad.

Keywords: Herbs, Phytochemicals, Extracts, Medicine.