Foliar epidermal microscopy and preliminary phytochemical screening of the leaves and stem bark of Tamarindus indica Linn. (Family: Fabaceae/Caesalpinioideae)

Ugbabe G. E., Odeh M. O., Ibra

Abstract

The microscopy of the foliar epidermis and the preliminary phytochemical screening of the leaves and stem bark of Tamarindus indica Linn. were carried out. The foliar epidermal analysis revealed the presence of diacyticstomata, prismatic crystals as well as polygonal cell shape on the lower and upper surfaces. The stomata are amphistomatic (on both lower and upper surfaces). Trichomes were not observed on the leaf surfaces. The phytochemical screening of the water extracts of the leaves revealed the presence of carbohydrates, saponin and flavonoids and the absence of tannin, anthraquinone and phlobatanins; while the stem bark revealed the presence of tannins, saponins and flavonoids and the absence of anthraquinone and phlobatannins. The result from this study provides the finger print for the identification of Tamarindus indica and shows some of the chemical constituents of the plant.