PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PROXIMATE COMPOSITIONS OF YOHIMBE (Pausinystalia yohimbe) BARK

Abstract

The inclusion of botanical extracts in livestock diet was reported to have positive outcomes in animal productivity and health. Studies on Pausynistalia yohimbe suggest that it possesses medicinal properties which could be useful for animal productivity and welfare. This study assessed the phytochemical constituent and the proximate composition of P. yohimbe. Data were collected on oxalate, phytate, phenolic, saponin, flavonoid, tannin, and alkaloids, as well as the proximate constituents. Result shows that P. yohimbe contains oxalate, phytate, phenolic, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, and alkaloids in varying proportions, with phenolics being the highest. Also, carbohydrate fraction of the proximate carries the highest composition of the plant back. It is therefore concluded that P. yohimbe bark has the potential of improving the health of livestock as well as supply nutrients for its maintenance.