Determination of Types and Quantities of Secondary Metabolites in Niger Plant (Guizotia Abyssinica L) Found Within Moiben Sub – County, Kenya

Abstract

Plants are a major source of active chemical constituents that can be used against other plants. From natural ecosystems, it has been found that exudates from some plants influence the growth and development of other plants. Niger plant (Guizotia abyssinica) exudes secondary metabolites phenols, flavonoids, tannins and saponins that influence plant growth either growing together or in the succeeding season. The aim of this experiment was to extract, identify and quantify the secondary metabolites in Niger plant collected from within Moiben sub-county where it grows wild. Plant materials were collected from all administrative wards in Moiben sub-county and secondary metabolites extracted by standard procedures. The extracts were made from the whole plant, roots and shoots. Data were collected on the levels of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, saponins and tannins. The data collected were subjected to ANOVA in Genstat and means separated by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT). All the five metabolites tested for were present in the plant samples at different quantities. Niger plant contains many metabolites thus further studies should be done for better understanding and application of their allelopathic effect for weed control.