Phytochemical, Nutritional and Antimicrobial Evaluations of the Aqueous Extract of Brassica Nigra (Brassicaceae) Seeds

The objective of the study was to carry out phytochemical, nutritional and antimicrobial evaluations of the aqueous extract of Brassica nigra seeds. The nutritional and phytochemical analyses were carried out by adopting standard methods. The antimicrobial study was carried out by using agar well diffusion method. The nutritional evaluation of the seeds of Brassica nigra showed that it contained moisture 4.16%, crude fibre 0.30%, crude fat 30.30%, ash 5.14%, crude protein 24.70% and carbohydrate 35.40%. The phytochemical screening of the seeds indicated the presence of saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, reducing sugar, phlobatannins and volatile oil. It was observed that the extract was effective in inhibiting Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Salmonella para-typhi, Pseudomonas aeuriginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, with the zone of inhibition ranging between 7mm and 23mm. The extracts of the Brassica nigra seeds can be used for common cold, painful joints and muscles (rheumatism), arthritis, edema, and increasing appetite. The seeds can also serve as a source of cooking oil because of the high content of crude fat and ethno medicine.