Abstract

ANTIOXIDANT AND PHYTOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF THE SEEDS OF SURIB (SESBANIA LEPTOCARPA DC.)

Mosa E. Osman, Elhadi M. Ahmed, Hamam S. Badri and Mahgoub Sharif Eltohami

ABSTRACT

Background: Surib (Sessbania leptocarpa) of the family Leguminosae is a wild plant widely spread in Gezira scheme and sometimes Surib seeds unavoidably mix machinery-harvested crops especially wheat. Seed comprises the major plant part and its use in human food and animal feed was not yet throughly evaluated. Methods: The preliminary phytochemical screening was performed using the conventional chemical tests using precipitation and color reagents as appropriate, while the DPPH radical scavenging assay was used for the determination of the antioxidant activity of the seed. Results: Preliminary phytochemical screening of different plant parts (seeds, leaves and roots) extracts showed the presence of alkaloids in seeds and roots. Seeds and leaves of the plant were found to contain also saponins, flavanoids, anthraquinones and tannins while the roots are devoid of these constituents. The ethanolic extract of Surib seed revealed 79% radical scavenging activity compared to positive control propylgalate (95 %). This antioxidant activity may be related to the presence of phenolic compounds and terpenoid constituents in the extract. Conclusion: It could be concluded and recommended that, the extract of Surib seeds exhibit an effective scavenging activity against DPPH radical as a notable natural antioxidant property that validates its folkloric use as coffee.

Keywords: Sesbania leptocarpa, Radical scavenging activity, Phytochemical screening.