PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY ASSESSMENT OF EXTRACTS FROM HONEYBEE RESIDUES

Abstract

The preliminary qualitative phytochemical screening, quantitative alkaloids, flavonoids and saponins and antioxidant activity have been carried out on both the n-hexane, HCP and the ethyl acetate, ECP extracts obtained from honeybee residue collected from Chikun in Kaduna State, Nigeria. The crude honeybee was strained and its residue subjected to both phytochemical and antioxidant profiling using established procedures. The qualitative Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of both steroids and terpeniods in HCP while alkaloids, flavonoids and saponins were present in addition in ECP. Quantitatively, alkaloids (0.89±0.00 mg/g AE), flavonoids (9.69±0.40 mg/g RE) and saponins (1.08±0.08 mg/g DE) were evaluated in ECP. Both extracts exhibited antioxidant activity in a concentration dependent gradient. Crude honeybee residue is an alternative source of phytochemicals with relevance therapeutical potentials.