Phytochemical and Antioxidant Capability of Vitex doniana (Black Plum) Fruit

Abstract

The search for more nutritionally active sources among forest products has called for the analysis of the phytochemical content and antioxidant activity of Vitex doniana (black plum) sweet fruit. Although, Vitex doniana sweet fruit had been known to be very useful among people across tropical Africa and beyond, but there is lack of adequate data on its phytochemical and antioxidant composition. The fresh fruits of Vitex doniana sweet were collected from several randomly selected trees in a farm site in Uromi metropolis, Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo state and then processed into an extract in form of syrup. The phytochemical and antioxidant profile of Vitex doniana sweet fruit were investigated to ascertain its health benefits. The antioxidant activity was done by measuring the scavenging effect of the fruit and ascorbic acid on 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical. The scavenging ability of the fruit showed a concentration-dependent activity profile. It increased with an increase in concentrations. The IC50 value of the fruit was found to be 245.8 µg/mL and that of ascorbic acid 2.175 µg/mL, indicating that the fruit has very little antioxidant activity comparable to ascorbic acid (control). The study also revealed that the fruit contains tannins, saponins, cardiac glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids and steroids.