Comparative Study of the Phytochemical Properties of Jatropha curcas and Azadirachta indica Plant Extracts

Phytochemical studies were carried out on the plant parts of Jatropha curcas (L.) and Azadirachta indica (A. Juss) found in the South Eastern parts of Nigeria with a view to highlighting their pre-existing secondary metabolites which have varieties of biological activities attributed to them. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of seven secondary metabolites (alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, phenols, HCN and phytate) were undertaken. The result showed that all secondary metabolites analyzed were present in all tissues of the two plant species studied but at different concentrations. The concentration of Alkaloid (1.38), Flavonid (0.44) and Saponin (0.72) contents of Neem leaf was observed to be more than in other parts of the neem plant and also more than as found in other plant parts of J. curcas. Phenolic contents of Neem leaf and bark were observed to be the same (0.18). However, Jatropha seed contained the highest percentage of HCN (60.07) and Phytate (0.54) than any other part of the two species while Jatropha bark and Jatropha leaf had highest percentages of phenol (0.24) and tannin (0.46) respectively. Generally aside HCN contents, alkaloids were the most abundant in neem plant parts followed by saponins, flavonoids, phytates, tannins and then phenols. Jatropha plant parts however contained less alkaloids and phenols than the other phytochemicals. Results obtained therefore spotlight these important phytochemicals in the tree species. However, variations observed in their concentrations confer value and individuality on the species.