Phytochemical & Antioxidant Activity

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3. Results and Discussion
3.1. Phytochemical analysis
Phytochemicals, especially phenolics are known to be major bioactive compounds for health benefits. Plant extracts containing different classes of polyphenols are very attractive in the food industry. Therefore, in this study, the total phenolics content and total flavonoids content of the faba beans’ extract were investigated. Folin-Ciocalteu phenol method estimated a total phenolic content of 22.415 GAE equivalents (µg GAE/mg sample). The presence of a high phenolic amount in the faba seeds indicates its potential as a good natural antioxidant.
It has been recognized that flavonoids show antioxidant activity[24]. The total flavonoid content of the reconstituted extract was estimated by the aluminium chloride method and the results were expressed in µg of Catechin equivalents (CE) per mg of dry weight of the extract based on the calibration curve of the standard. Total flavonoid content in the dried faba seeds was estimated to be 7.814 in µg of Catechin equivalents (CE) /mg.
Crude alkaloids and saponins in the faba seeds extract were estimated to be 2.99% and 0.002% respectively. Their presence in moderate amount in faba seeds divulges its therapeutic significance. These alkaloids in a diet consisting of faba seeds may prove helpful for healing of wounds, varicose ulcers, hemorrhoids, frost-bite and burn in herbal medicine. Saponins, on the other hand, are anti-nutritional factors and can reduce the uptake of certain nutrients including cholesterol and glucose at the gut through intra lumenal physicochemical interaction (Okwu & Okwu)[25]. Saponin was observed in negligible amounts in the sample.
Table 1: Phytochemical analysis of faba seeds sample Total phenolic
(µg GAE/ ...

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