Thesis Abstract

Abstract
This study aimed to assess the phytochemical constituents and proximate composition of African pear (Dacryodes edulis) to determine its nutritional value and potential health benefits. The African pear fruit samples were collected from different locations, and the phytochemical screening was carried out using standard methods. The proximate composition analysis was conducted to determine the moisture content, ash content, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, and carbohydrate content of the fruit. The results of the phytochemical screening revealed the presence of various bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and phenols, which are known for their antioxidant and medicinal properties. The proximate composition analysis showed that African pear is a rich source of carbohydrates and healthy fats, while also containing moderate levels of protein and fiber. The moisture content was relatively low, indicating good shelf stability of the fruit. Overall, the findings suggest that African pear is a nutritious fruit with potential health benefits due to its phytochemical constituents and proximate composition. Further research is needed to explore the specific health-promoting properties of African pear and its potential applications in functional foods and nutraceuticals.

Thesis Overview

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Plants are important in our everyday existence. They provide our foods, produce the oxygen we breathe, and serve as raw materials for many industrial products such as clothes, foot wears and so many others. Plants also provide raw materials for our buildings and in the manufacture of biofuels, dyes, perfumes, pesticides, adsorbents and drugs.

The plant kingdom has proven to be the most useful in the treatment of diseases and they provide an important source of all the world’s pharmaceuticals. The most important of these bioactive constituents of plants are steroids, terpenoids, carotenoids, flavanoids, alkaloids, tannins and glycosides. Plants in all facet of life have served a valuable starting material for drug development (Ajibesin, 2011). Antibiotics or antimicrobial substances like saponins, glycosides, flavonoids and alkaloids etc are found to be distributed in plants, yet these compounds were not well established due to the lack of knowledge and techniques.
 
 The phytoconstituents which are phenols, anthraquinones, alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids and saponins are antibiotic principles of plants. Plants are now occupying important position in allopathic medicine, herbal medicine, homoeopathy and aromatherapy. Medicinal plants are the sources of many important drugs of the modern world. Many of these indigenous medicinal plants are used as spices and food plants; they are also sometimes added to foods meant for pregnant mothers for medicinal purposes ( Akinpela and Onakoya, 2006). Many plants are cheaper and more accessible to most people especially in the developing countries than orthodox medicine, and there is lower incidence of adverse effects after use. These reasons might account for
their worldwide attention and use. The medicinal properties of some plants have been documented by some researchers ( Akinpelu and Onukoya, 2006). Medicinal plants are of great importance to the health of individuals and communities. It was the advent of antibiotics in the 1950s that led to the decline of the use of plant derivatives as antimicrobials (Marjorie, 1999). Medicinal plants contain physiologically active components which over the years have been exploited in the traditional medical practices for the treatment of various ailments (Ajibesin, 2011). A relatively small percentage of less than 10% of all the plants on earth is