PHYTOCHEMICALS, NUTRICEUTICALS AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF TWO HERBAL PRODUCTS; WlNE RED HERBAL PRODUCT (WRHP) AND BLOOD SUPPLEMENT HERBAL PRODUCT (BSHP).

Abstract

The aim of this work is to evaluate the suitability of the herbal products (WRHP (Wine Red herbal product) and BSHP (Blood Supplement Herbal Product) for medicinal and nutritional use. Proximate analysis, vitamin content was carried out. Phytochemical content, antimicrobial and antioxidant content were also assessed. The results showed that vitamin A was highest in WRHP while vitamin C was highest in BSHP. The proximate analysis reveals carbohydrate to be the highest in both products (36.09% and 11.36% respectively). The proximate analysis was carried out which showed the nutritional value of the herbal products in which the dry matter has the largest percentage; 90.25%. The quantitative analysis Vitamin A, B, C, D and E were carried on the herbal products which showed the presence of the vitamins but Vitamin A, C and E has a higher amount of vitamins in the WRHP; 36.25, 9.36 and 11.28 in μg/100g respectively. The phytochemical screening of the herbal products (WRHP &BSHP) revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, steroids, alkaloids, flavonoids, phlobatannins, anthraquinones, phenols, terpenes and cardenolides. An extensive mineral analysis was done on the products by AAS which showed the presence of the following ions; Ca, Na, K, Se, Mg, Pb, Cd, Cu, Mn, Fe, Ni, Zn. Zn has the highest percentage 61.3 mg/kg, followed by Mn and I, with 56.2mg/kg and 46.2mg/kg respectively, while Fe content was 14.6mg/kg unit. The inhibitory activity against bacteria and fungi by the herbal products was also assayed for. The herbal products are okay and good for human consumption as shown in the result due to the absence of bacteria and fungi. The antioxidant activity was assayed for by assessing the scavenging activity and inhibition of lipid peroxidation of the herbal products. WRHP and BSHP showed a concentration dependent increase in DPPH scavenging activity and lipid peroxidation inhibition. It shows the herbal products are good substances that reduce the damage of cell membrane and protect the red blood cells. The presence of antioxidants like phenol and flavonoids also emphasized the medicinal value of the herbal products. The microbial analysis of herbal products have an inhibitory activity on bacteria and fungi growth. This may be due to the presence of active constituent present in the herbal products which have been reported to be used for curative activity against several pathogens.