Abstract

PROXIMATE ANALYSIS, PHYTOCHEMICAL CONTENT AND MINERAL COMPOSITION OF CASSIA OBTUSIFOLIA SEED

Zakia Sultana Shanta, Most. Ruma Khatun, Shahin Aziz*, Tanzima Parvin and Sharif M. Al-Reza*

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Cassia obtusifolia is an important medicinal plant. Cassia obtusifolia seeds have many medicinal values. In order to justify medicinal properties of this important plant, it creates sufficient interest to carry out research on its proximate analysis, phytochemical content quantification along with its mineral composition determination. Methods: Standard methods were used to determine the proximate analysis, phytochemical screening. Mineral compositions were detected by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Results: The proximate analysis of the seeds revealed 9.15% moisture, 90.85% dry matter, 5.16% ash, 94.84% organic matter, 4.09% crude protein, 5.16% crude fiber, 66.54% carbohydrate, and 0.65% nitrogen. From total ash the water soluble part was 23.43% while acid soluble ash content was 43.24%. Food energy of the seed was found 371.61 cal/gm. The presence of some phytochemicals like alkaloids, saponins and flavonoids explained the medicinal action of the plant encountered in its therapeutic uses. The seed samples contains reasonable amount of essential mineral contents needed for the body such as sodium, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, aluminum, zinc, copper, manganese, lead, nickel, chromium and cadmium content. The mineral elemental concentration carried out showed Ca having the highest concentration of 81.78 mg/kg while Cd and Cr concentration was the lowest (0.002 mg/kg).

Keywords: Cassia obtusifolia, Proximate analysis, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, mineral compositions.