University Publications

This research was under taken to investigate the presence of various secondary metabolites in the stems, seeds and latex/sap of Euphorbia abyssinica, E. polyacantha and Jatropha glauca from the family Euphrobiaceae. The chemical analyses were carried out in alcohol and aqueous extracts using standard analytical methods. Quantitative analysis of saponin and alkaloids using standard chemical protocols were carried out. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed presence of alkaloids, cardenolides, saponins, 2- deoxysugars, sterols (saturated and unsaturated), tannins, flavonoids, coumarins and carbohydrates in the studied plants. Quantitative analysis resulted in the presence of 20% saponin in both stem and seeds of Euphorbia polyacantha, Jatropha glauca contains 20.20% saponin in seeds and 26.30% in the sap. 60% of alkaloids are present in Euphorbia polyacantha latex.