Determination of Saponin Content of Various Parts of Six Citrus species

Chinelo A. Ezeabara *

Department of Botany, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, P.M.B. 5025 Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

C. U. Okeke

Department of Botany, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, P.M.B. 5025 Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

Bibian O. Aziagba

Department of Botany, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, P.M.B. 5025 Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

Chinyere V. Ilodibia

Department of Botany, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, P.M.B. 5025 Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

Adaeze N. Emeka

Department of Botany, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, P.M.B. 5025 Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.


Abstract

Different parts of Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swingle (Lime), C. grandis Osbeck (Shaddock/Pummelo), C. limon (L.) Burm. f. (Lemon), C. paradisii Macf. (Grapefruit), C. reticulata Blanco (Mandarin/Tangerine) and C. sinensis (L.) Osbeck (Sweet orange) commonly cultivated in Southeastern Nigeria were investigated for presence of saponin. All the parts of these Citrus species were found to contain saponin in varying levels. The highest level of saponin was contained in the leaves of C. sinensis and peels of C. aurantifolia respectively. High level of saponin was also contained in the leaves of C. paradisii, C. grandis, C. reticulata and C. aurantifolia respectively. These indicated that these parts of these Citrus species contained high level of saponin and could be regarded as possible sources of it; which could be used for a variety of commercial purposes. In addition, they can be used in ethnomedicine as drugs.

 

Keywords: Saponin, Citrus aurantifolia, C. grandis, C. limon, C. paradisii, C. reticulata, C. sinensis


How to Cite

A. Ezeabara, Chinelo, C. U. Okeke, Bibian O. Aziagba, Chinyere V. Ilodibia, and Adaeze N. Emeka. 2013. “Determination of Saponin Content of Various Parts of Six Citrus Species”. International Research Journal of Pure and Applied Chemistry 4 (1):137-43. https://doi.org/10.9734/IRJPAC/2014/5831.