PROXIMATE ANALYSIS AND PHYTOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF GARLIC BULB (Allium sativum L.) AS A MEDICINAL PLANT

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the proximate and phytochemical analysis of Garlic bulb (Allium sativum). The practice of complementary and alternative medicine is now on the increase in developing countries in response to World Health Organization’s directives. This has culminated in several pre-clinical and clinical studies that have provided the scientific basis for the efficacy of many plants used in folk medicine to improve growth performance in human and treat infections. The Proximate composition involves the Carbohydrate content, Protein, Moisture content, Ash content, Crude fat content and Phosphorus. Phytochemicals determined were large amount of Tannin, Saponin, Glycosides, Terpenoids; moderate amount of Alkaloids and Flavonoids; trace amount of Phenolic. Garlic contained appreciable amounts of carbohydrates and protein suggesting that it can be ranked as carbohydrate and protein-rich spice. From the study, it shows that Garlic bulb powder has high carbohydrate content (74.82%). The normal daily protein requirement for a normal adult is 45 to 50 g, therefore, the value at 16.48 mg/100g obtained suggests that garlic can serve as protein supplement in human main dishes. The low moisture content in the dry matter shows that garlic will have long shelf life and with limited deterioration due to microbial contamination. Phosphorus is essential for bone and teeth formation. It plays an important role in how the body uses carbohydrates and fats. It is also needed for the body to make protein for the growth, maintenance, and repair of cells and tissues. The phytochemical investigation on the extract of garlic (Allium sativum ) bulb indicates the presence of rich amount of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides,  tannin, phenolic compounds, saponins, terpenoids and steroids. Secondary metabolites especially alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and tannins are known to have curative activity against several pathogens.