Phytochemical and Elemental Constituents of the extract of waterlily (Nymphaea lotus) Collected from Dadin-Kowa, Yamaltu Deba Local Government Area, Gombe State.

Abstract

Nymphaea lotus commonly known as white water lily (English) or Bado (Hausa) belongs to the

family Nymphaeaceae. It has been used in traditional medicines for the treatment of different

diseases. The studies determined the phytochemical and elemental content of the plant using

standard method. The extract of the leaves and root were obtained using sonicator extractor, with

ethyl acetate and aqueous solvents. The qualitative phytochemical analysis of the leave and root

extract showed the presence of alkaloid, flavonoid, tannin, saponin, terpenoid and glycosides.

However, the result showed the absence of sterol and steroid in both the leave and root extract. The

elemental composition of the extract were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer

and flame photometer. The result shows the element were in the range of 3.36±0.09mg/kg to

6.73±0.25mg/kg for Na, 3.22±0.02mg/kg to 6.61±0.11mg/kg for K, 0.87±0.31mg/kg to

6.60±0.38mg/kg for Ca, 2.77±0.07mg/kg to 3.93±0.06mg/kg for Fe, 0.28±0.01mg/kg to

0.62±0.02mg/kg for Mg, and 0.70+0.01mg/kg for Cu. The result indicate that Nymphaea lotus

contained some bioactive constituents as well some mineral element which are essential to maintain

the human body metabolism