PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF ANNONA SQUAMOSA (SWEET SOP)

This study aimed to identify and quantify the phytochemicals present in Annona squamosa (sweet sop) leaves, which are traditionally used for medicinal purposes. The leaves were collected from Lafia Modern Market, air-dried, and ground into a fine powder for extraction using ethanol and distilled water. Phytochemical screening was performed using standard qualitative and quantitative methods. The qualitative analysis revealed that alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins were present in both aqueous and ethanolic extracts, with steroids only detected in the ethanolic extract. Quantitative analysis using UV-Vis spectrophotometry showed identical flavonoid content (2.500mg) in both extracts, while the ethanolic extract had a significantly higher phenolic content (1.759mg) compared to the aqueous extract (0.269mg). From the quantitative analysis results, the phenolic content of the ethanolic extract had a higher concentration than the aqueous extract while the flavonoid content of the both extracts was the same. The study supports the traditional medicinal uses of Annona squamosa, attributing its therapeutic potential to the presence of these bioactive compounds, including alkaloids known for their analgesic and antimicrobial properties, and flavonoids with strong antioxidant capabilities. In conclusion, Annona squamosa offers promising potential for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical development, and further research is recommended to isolate specific bioactive compounds and explore their therapeutic applications.