Phytochemical Analysis and Antioxidant Potential of Ethanol Extracts of Anogeissus leiocarpus ( DC.) Guill &Perr and Acacia nilotica (L.) Delile

Acacia nilotica (Gum Arabic) and Anogeissus leiocarpus (African birch) are multipurpose plants that have being in used in African traditional system of medicine. Various studies have proved their antibacterial, anti-diabetic, anti-diarrheal and wound healing effects. The aim of this research was to investigate the phytochemical constituents and antioxidant potential of the ethanol extracts of Anogeissus leiocarpus stem bark and Acacia nilotica pod. Phytochemical screening was carried out using the standard protocol and compounds were identified by GC-MS and FT-IR analysis methods on spectrophotometer system. Antioxidant assay was carried out using the free radical scavenging of the 1-1-diphynyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH).The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, phenols, alkaloids, flavanoids and terpenoids in both the investigated plants extract. Result from GC-MS analysis identified 69 and 76 compounds in A.nilotica and A. leiocarpus respectively.