Solvent-Dependent Phytochemical Profile of Nypa fruticans Wurmb Leaf Extracts

Abstract

This study evaluated the influence of extraction solvent on the phytochemical profile of Nypa fruticans Wurmb leaf extracts. Fresh leaf samples were collected from Sandfill, Eagle Island Waterside, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, and authenticated at the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Rivers State University, with accession number RSUPBH0231. The leaves were washed, oven-dried at 60–70 °C, pulverised and extracted separately with methanol, ethanol and distilled water. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were carried out for alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, phenolics, oxalates, phytates and cyanogenic glycosides using standard laboratory procedures. Data were analysed using one-way analysis of variance at p < 0.05. Qualitative screening showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, phenolics and oxalates in the extracts, whereas phytates and cyanogenic glycosides were not detected. Quantitative analysis showed that aqueous extraction produced the highest alkaloid concentration (8.70 ± 0.00 mg/ml), while ethanol extraction produced the highest flavonoid concentration (3.72 ± 0.00 mg/ml). Methanol extraction gave the highest values for saponins (2.92 ± 0.01 mg/ml), oxalates (2.29 ± 0.01 mg/ml) and tannins (0.16 ± 0.00 mg/ml). Phenolics were recorded at 0.03 ± 0.00 mg/ml in both methanol and ethanol extracts. Phytates and cyanogenic glycosides were 0.00 ± 0.00 mg/ml in all extracts. Overall, the findings show solvent-dependent variation in phytochemical recovery from N. fruticans leaves, indicating that solvent selection influences the recovery of specific phytochemical groups.