Dr. David Tembo

Dr. David Tembo

Co-author

Physics & Biochemical Sciences

8 publications

David Tryson Tembo is a Senior Lecturer at Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS). He is a holder of a Doctor of Philosophy, PhD (Food Science, University of Leeds, United Kingdom, 2017), Master of Science, MSc (Applied Chemistry, University of Malawi, 2008) and Bachelor of Educa...

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Seasonal Variation of Phytochemicals in Four Selected Medicinal Plants

Journal Article
Published 9 months ago, 376 views
Author
Bonface Mwamatope
Co-authors
Elizabeth Kampira, Dr. David Tembo, Cecilia Maliwichi-Nyirenda, Victoria Ndolo
Abstract
Background: The study aimed at assessing total alkaloids content (TAC), total flavonoids con tent (TFC), total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity (AA) and predominant individual phenolic compounds in methanol extracts of M. oleifera, S. singueana, M. azedarach leaves and stem barks of L. discolor collected during different seasons of the year. Materials and Methods: TPC, TFC and TAC were analyzed using the Folin Ciocalteau assay, aluminum chloride assay and bromocresol green assay, respectively. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) techniques were used to analyse AA. Phenolic compounds; Vanillic acid, (+)-catechin, quercetin, rutin, Sinapic acid, 2,4-hydroxybenzoic acid and ferulic acid were analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography diode array detector (HPLC - DAD). Results: Barks of L. discolour exhibited high levels of TPC, TFC, TAC and AA during hot-dry season (summer) as compared to S. singueana, M. oleifera and M. azedarach leaves which showed significantly (p< 0.05) higher levels in hot-wet season (rainy). Levels of TPC, TFC and TAC were significantly (p< 0.05) influenced by seasonal variations and correlated with levels of AA. Profiles of all phenolic compounds analyzed were not similar in terms of chemical composition and concentration during different seasons. Sinapic acid and 2,4-hydroxybenzoic acid were predominant in S. singueana while sinapic acid and ferulic acid were predominant in M. oleifera. Vanillic acid and 2,4-hydroxybenzoic acid were predominant in L. discolor and M. azedarach respectively. Conclusion: The phytochemical constituents in medicinal plants are subject to seasonal variations which in turn influence the optimum season of harvesting. Keywords: Alkaloids, Antioxidant activity, Flavonoids, Medicinal plants, Phenolic compounds, Seasonal variations.
Year of Publication
2021
Journal Name
Pharmacognosy Research
Volume
13
Issue
4
Page Numbers
1-9
Supporting Files
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