The Journal of Phytopharmacology, 2018;7(2):134-140 DOI:10.31254/phyto.2018.7206

Research Article

Characterization and anti-oxidant activity of Cucurbita maxima Duchesne pulp and seed extracts

Peninah Njoki Muchirah¹ , Rebecca Waihenya² , Shadrack Muya² , Leila Abubakar³ , Hastings Ozwara⁴ , Anselimo Makokha⁵

Peninah Njoki Muchirah,Rebecca Waihenya,Shadrack Muya,Leila Abubakar,Hastings Ozwara,Anselimo Makokha

1. Department of Medical Science, Faculty of Applied and Health Sciences, Technical University of Mombasa, Kenya
2. School of biological sciences, College of Pure and Applied Sciences, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya
3. Department of Pure and Applied Science, Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences, Technical University of Mombasa, Kenya
4. Department of Tropical and Infectious diseases, Institute of Primate Research, Kenya
5. Department of Food Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received: 18th January, 2018 / Accepted: 3rd March, 2018

Abstract

The study aimed to characterize phytochemical composition of C. maxima seeds and pulp. The ethanol and aqueous extract of C. maxima seeds and pulp were done using percolation method. The phytochemical composition of ethanol and aqueous extract were determined using methodology described by the association of official analytical chemists. Qualitative screening of both aqueous and ethanol seed and pulp extracts showed presence of alkaloids, flavanoids, phenolics, carbohydrates, tannins, saponins, terpenoids and proteins. The quantitative tests reported concentration of 0.336g/100g of phenols, 0.012g/100g flavanoids and 0.009g/100g tannins in seed aqueous extracts while 0.213g/100g, 0.175g/100g and 0.016/100g in pulp respectively. The levels of phenols, flavanoids and tannins reported in ethanol extracts were 0.277g/100g, 0.246g/100g and 0.010g/100g in pulp and 0.530g/100g, 0.252g/100g and 0.064g/100g in seed respectively. Saponins were present in ethanol extracts only. The percentage content of alkaloids was 4.9% in pulp and 5.97% in seed aqueous extracts while ethanol pulp and seed extracts was 9.49% and 9.74% respectively. All extracts showed significant levels of anti-oxidant activity at different concentration levels. The presence of these phytochemical compounds shows that C. maxima are a potential medicinal candidate that needs to be explored further for actual use as in pharmaceutical industry.