PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSES OF PROSOPIS JULIFLORA SWARTZ DC.

The air dried leaves of Prosopis juliflora Swartz DC., commonly known as Vilayati Kikar was analyzed for chemical composition. The results revealed the quantitative analysis of following classes of natural constituents: flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, phenols and tannins in the range of (16 +/- 0.39), (3.6 +/- 0.06), (2.2 +/- 0.23), (0.66 +/- 0.11) and (0.33 +/- 0.07) % respectively. The crude fiber and ash content were also analyzed and found as (17.5 +/- 0.14) and (9.5 +/- 0.08) % respectively whereas, pectic substances were calculated as (4.9 +/- 0.18) %. The proximate analysis of the leaves for this robust plant widely distributed in Pakistan has been carried out for the first time and has revealed high concentration of flavonoids.