Antioxidant potential, phytochemicals, minerals and amino acids content of lemongrass (Cymbopogan citratus)

The benefits of phytomedicine cannot be overemphasized. Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is a medicinal plant commonly explored in folk medicine for the treatment of diverse ailments. In this research, its antioxidant potential, phytochemicals, minerals and amino acids content were analyzed using standard methods. The results of the phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides and phenols. Minerals analysis shows that Lemongrass contains Copper, Zinc, Iron, Manganese, Magnesium, Aluminium, Chromium, Calcium, Selenium, Lithium, Sodium and Potassium. It also contains Lead, Mercury and Cadmium within the permissible limits. The result also shows direct relationship between antioxidant activity and concentration of the plant extract. Amino acids analysis revealed that it contains non-essential amino acids and all the essential amino acids. These results suggest that Lemongrass may be utilized as an antioxidant, as well as, source of the aforementioned phytochemicals, minerals and amino acids whose essentiality to life is undoubted.