Phytochemical and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy Analysis of Faidherbia Albida (Del)As A Preservative Agent

Maitera, O. N., Chukkol I. B

This study determined the preservative potential of methanolic leaf and stem bark extracts of Faidherbiaalbida. The bioactive compounds of F. albidaextractswere extracted using methanol and functional compounds were determined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscope(FT-IR). Phytochemical studies revealed the presence of tannins, steroids, terpenes, alkaloids in the leaf while tannins, saponin, alkaloids, steroids, terpenes and cardiac glycoside in the stem bark. FT-IR analysis of methanolic leaf and stem bark extracts confirm the presence of primary amine, alcohol, alkyl halide, alkene, alkane and aldehyde. The FT-IR signals at 1165, 1450, 1750, 2850, 2920 cm-1 were considered as an indicator of the presence of formaldehyde which is a major constituent of a preservative agent. F. albida extracts can serve as alternative preservative agent which support the traditional use of the plant for the preservation of corpse.