2025, Vol. 6, Issue 1, Part A

Author(s): PN Olotu, IA Olotu, EA Yahaya, N Danjuma, DM Anueyiagu, EU Onche, NS Yakubu, JU Ogbanje, EE Abah, VO Innocent and IC Nkemdilim

Abstract: Moringa oleifera, commonly known as the drumstick tree, is a widely utilized plant renowned for its rich nutritional content and numerous medicinal properties. The leaf of Moringa are particularly valued for their high concentrations of vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, alkaloids, and saponins, which contribute to its antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. The extraction of these bioactive compounds is a crucial step in exploring the therapeutic potential of Moringa, and the choice of extraction solvent plays a significant role in determining the types and yields of phytochemicals obtained. This study aimed to investigate the effects of various extraction solvents on the phytochemical constituents of Moringa oleifera leaf. Using standard extraction techniques, the leaves were subjected to solvent-based extractions, and the resulting extracts were analyzed for their chemical composition. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used as the statistical analytical tool. The results indicated that the solvent type significantly influenced the phytochemical profile of the Moringa extracts. 70% Ethanol extract showed the highest concentration of secondary metabolites such as cardiac glycosides, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, phenols, flavonoids anthraquinones, sterols & Terpenoids, followed by Water extract which was also rich in water-soluble nutrients, such as cardiac glycosides, saponins, tannins, & flavonoids. Ethylacetate, which is can both extract polar and non-polar compounds, was next in yield, and extracted secondary metabolites such as cardiac glycosides, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, phenols, flavonoids, anthraquinones, sterols, & Terpenoids, while N-Hexane extract, being more effective at extracting non-polar compounds, contained the least yield, and extracted secondary metabolites such as anthraquinones, sterols, & Terpenoids. The study found that the ethanol extract of Moringa oleifera leaf exhibited the highest% Yield, suggesting that ethanol could be an ideal solvent for extracting a broad range of bioactive compounds. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of solvent selection in the extraction of phytochemicals from Moringa oleifera leaf and provides valuable insights into optimizing extraction protocols for pharmaceutical applications. Further research is needed to explore the synergy between solvent combinations and their effects on the therapeutic efficacy of Moringa extracts.

DOI: 10.33545/27072827.2025.v6.i1a.137

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