Browsing by Author "Amaechi, Patrick Chikaike"

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    Studies on the stem sap and flowers of two varieties of cocoyam: Xanthosoma sagittifolium and Colocasia esculenta
    (Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2016-12) Amaechi, Patrick Chikaike
    This study is focused on the analysis of the flower extracts and stem extracts (sap) of two varieties of cocoyam: Xanthosoma sagittifolium and Colocasia esculenta. Phytochemical analysis was carried out on the flowers and stem sap. The proximate analysis was also carried out on the flowers and T-test statistical tool was employed. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrophotometric (GC-MS) evaluation was performed using GCMS-QP2010 (SHIMADZU). Standard methods and conditions were employed in this analysis. Phytochemical analysis of X. sagittifolium and C. esculenta revealed that the flowers are rich in saponins (6.61% and 5.50%respectively), alkaloids (6.20% and 9.80% respectively) and phenolic compounds which were deeply present in both flowers. The stem extracts of X. sagittifolium and C. esculenta contains more saponins (4.71% and 4.20%, respectively), and alkaloids (4.31% and 5.50%, respectively). The proximate analysis of X. sagittifolium and C. esculenta revealed that the flowers posses high protein content (37.87% and 22.56%, respectively), high moisture content (16.10% and 16.35%, respectively). C .esculenta showed high percentage of total carbohydrate of 25.11%. T-test statistical tool at (P = 0.05) shows that there is no significant difference between the values of the proximate analysis except in crude protein of the two species and total carbohydrates. It also revealed that there is no significant difference between the quantitative phytochemical analysis result values between the two species except in saponins content of the two flowers and tannin contents in the two stems. GC-MS analysis revealed that the flowers of the two varieties contain phenolic compound and alkaloids. The stem extracts (saps) of the two varieties contains high percentage concentration of Permethrin. Studies on the reactive effects of Permethrin as a compound has shown that the itchiness of cocoyam stems could therefore be attributed to the presence of Permethrin in the stem extract.