Comprehensive Analysis of Nutrient Composition: Evaluating Vitamins, Essential Minerals, and Trace Metals in Neem (Azadirachta indica) Stem Bark Extract
Abstract
The current study sought to investigate the nutrients in an aqueous extract of Neem (Azadirachta indica) stem bark. The bioactive chemical contents of Neem stem bark were isolated, separated, and studied to determine the presence of vitamins, vital minerals, and trace metals. A fresh Neem sample was collected and the sample was ground into powdered form and prepared via extraction using various solvents (n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and ethanol), and the chemical constituents were separated using the GC/MS technique. The Neem stem sample was later digested with nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide in the ratio 4:1 (acid ratio). The trace metals and important minerals in digested Neem samples were determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS), while Na+ and K+ were determined using a flame photometer. The results revealed that calcium is the most prevalent mineral in Neem stem bark, followed by potassium and sodium, but copper, magnesium, iron, zinc, and other minerals are present in trace amounts, while cadmium and lead are virtually missing. Furthermore, according to the results of the vitamin studies, the most abundant vitamins in Neem stem bark are vitamin B3 and vitamin C, but vitamins A, B1, B6, and B12 are present in trace amounts.
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