Phytochemical screening and quantification of lipids present in the dried fruit of Samanea saman

Abstract

Samanea saman (Jacq.) Merr. trees are frequent in grazing areas (pastures or barns) dedicated to cattle, and it is empirically known that these animals, when they take shelter from the sun, consume the nuts that fall to the ground. The objective of the research was to determine the presence of secondary metabolites and lipid content in the dried fruit of this plant. The fruits for the study were obtained from existing trees in the Finca Integral “El Algarrobo”, belonging to the municipality Pinar del Río, province of the same name, in the period between April and June 2018. The area is characterized by presenting a Brown soil. Fruit samples were taken from eight trees, by simple random sampling to have samples of the different strata of the plant. The lipids present in the ethereal extract of dried fruit of S. saman were quantified and other extracts were prepared for phytochemical screening. A combined technique using petroleum ether was applied for lipid determination. The results show that the fruits of this species constitute an important potential for feeding small livestock in the territory in times of drought.

Keywords

• feeding
• secondary metabolites
• saman