EXTRACTION AND IDENTIFICATION OF REDUCING SUGARS IN AZANZA GARCKEANA FRUIT

Abstract

Azanza garckeana (AG), is a tropical tree widely distributed in Eastern, Southern and Western
Africa. The plant species has continued to attract interest due to its cytotoxicity and antioxidant
activities. Research on particularly reducing sugars from the plant found in Northern Nigeria
remain largely unexploited. Hence, there is a necessity for special research on such
compound(s) which could lead to the actual understanding of the medicinal impact of the plant
specimen. AG fruit samples were collected from five different areas of Tula town, Gombe state
Nigeria and prepared accordingly for sugars analysis. Fehling’s solutions A and B, then
chromatography analysis was used to test the presence of reducing sugars. Ethanol extraction
method of Benedict’s solution test was applied for reducing sugar test. Fehling’s solutions gave
a brick red precipitate indicating the presence of reducing sugars. Orange-brown precipitate
was observed from the ethanolic extract solution for reducing sugars test. The compounds
extract was found to contain, glucose, mannose, galactose, fructose and sucrose. The functional
groups OH, C=O and other absorption bands were identified by IR spectroscopy. Presence of
the sugars in the AG fruits confirms its consumption safety and as good source of energy.