Comparative Phytochemical Screening and Nutritional Potentials of the Flowers (petals) of Senna alata (l) roxb, Senna hirsuta (l.) Irwin and barneby, and Senna obtusifolia (l.) Irwin and barneby (fabaceae)

Comparative phytochemical screening and nutritional potentials of the flowers (petals) of S. alata, S. hirsuta and S. obtusifolia (Fabaceae) were investigated. S. alata, S. hirsuta and S. obtusifolia are plants that have been frequently used as a medicine. The phytochemical screening reveals the presence of saponins, tannins, flavonoids, and cardiac glycosides and the absence of alkaloids in all three species. Quantitative evaluation of the petals of S. alata, S. hirsuta and S. obtusifolia reveals moisture content (%) of 12.5, 13.5, 13; Ash content (%) 6,11, 9. Acid insoluble (%) 1.5, 2.5, 2; Sulphated ash (%) 5, 9, 5.3; protein (%) 5.1, 8.2, 4.1, Fats (%) 5, 3.5, 4.4; Fibre (%) 25, 40, 30; Carbohydrate (%) 53.7; 42, 40.7 respectively. The above results indicates that despite the absence of information on the phytochemical screening, quantitative parameters and nutritional potentials of the petals of these studied species they contain nutrients and mineral elements, and bioactive compounds that may be useful in nutrition and in the synthesis of various therapeutic drugs.