Qualitative and Quantitative Phytochemical Analyses of Aqueous, Methanolic, and n-Hexane Stem Bark Extracts of Terminalia catappa

This study comprehensively investigates the qualitative and quantitative phytochemical composition of Terminalia catappa stem bark extracts obtained using three solvents of varying polarity: aqueous, methanol, and n-hexane. Qualitative screening confirmed the presence of diverse bioactive compounds including alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, steroids, tannins, and coumarins, with variations depending on solvent type. Quantitative analyses revealed that the aqueous extract contained the highest levels of alkaloids (271.30 ± 1.07 mg/100g), cardiac glycosides (609.00 ± 0.56 mg/100g), flavonoids (370.30 ± 0.29 mg/100g), and phenols (490.20 ± 0.09 mg/100g). Methanol extracts showed moderate concentrations, while the n-hexane extract selectively enriched lipophilic compounds such as coumarin (1.22 ± 0.15 mg/100g) and steroids (18.64 ± 0.48 mg/100g). Statistical analyses demonstrated significant differences in phytochemical yields across solvents (p < 0.05), emphasizing the crucial role of solvent polarity in extraction efficiency. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing extraction protocols and harnessing the therapeutic potential of T. catappa phytochemicals for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications