Proximate Analysis, and Mineral Content Determination of Delonix regia Flower
Abstract
Therapeutic plants possess active substances and minerals, making them valuable for both therapeutic uses and as base substances in the production of contemporary pharmaceuticals. The study was done to find out the phytochemical screening, proximate, and mineral content of Delonix regia, which is thought to be one of the plants that could be used to treat diseases. The findings pertaining to the solubility and proximate analysis of D. regia flower indicate that it possesses the following characteristics: acid solubility of 47%, water solubility of 49%, hot water solubility of 89%, alkaline solubility of 23%, organic matter content of 31%, dry matter of 93%, ash content of 7.28 mg/100g, crude protein content of 17.61 mg/100g, crude fibre content of 8.93 mg/100g, crude fat content of 6.49 mg/100g, carbohydrate content of 44.78 mg/100g, a moisture content of 89%, and a total energy value of 69.72 kcal/100g. The mineral test showed that the D. regia flower had more minerals with values of 32.48 mg/100 g, 10.39 mg/100 g, 41.37 mg/100 g, 50.69 mg/100 g, and 72.31 mg/100 g for Na, Mg, P, K, and Ca, respectively. In terms of microminerals, Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn were found to have varying amounts, with values of 3.81 mg/100 g, 2.47 mg/100 g, 7.31 mg/100 g, and 3.29 mg/100 g, respectively. On the other hand, Co exhibited a lower content of 1.09 mg/100 g. The amounts of harmful metals, including As, Se, Cd, Hg and Pb, were found to be within an acceptable range. These values were measured at 0.09 µg/100g for As, 0.11 µg/100g for Se, 0.09 µg/100g for Cd, 0.07 µg/100g for Hg, and 0.06 µg/100g for Pb. The study's findings indicate that blooms of D. regia possess a diverse array of minerals and phytocomponents, which elicit distinct physiological responses in both animals and humans. The findings obtained possess great significance, as they have the potential to facilitate ongoing scientific confirmation of the conventional wisdom associated with this essential herbal remedy.