Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening and antioxidant potential of Bulbine inflata (Asphodelaceae)

Bulbine inflata is one of the species in the genus Bulbine that are yet to be documented for potential medicinal uses. Hence, we carried out its preliminary phytochemical profiling and investigated its antioxidant potential. The leaves were dried using air- and freeze-drying techniques and were extracted by water, methanol, ethyl acetate and hexane. Various common colour tests were used for the presence of phytochemicals. Some of the phytochemicals were further quantified. Phosphomolybdate, 2, 2 diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl, hydrogen peroxide and metal chelating assays were used to assess the antioxidant potential of B. inflata. Tannin, flavonoids, phenols, glycosides, steroids, coumarins, quinones, saponins and terpenoids were detected phytochemicals in B. inflata leaves. The highest total phenolic, flavonoid and tannin contents, as well as total antioxidant capacity, were recorded for water extract. B. inflata showed moderate to high antioxidant activities against DPPH, H2O2 and metal chelating. Freeze-dried samples presented with higher results than air-dried samples in most assays. The results showed the potential of B. inflata for medicinal uses and could expand the ethnomedicinal resources in the communities where it is prevalent and beyond.