Abstract
The qualitative and quantitative phytochemical investigation of different solvent extracts of Acacia nilotica leaf was carried out using standard methods. The determination of biologically active compounds from botanical origin is mainly dependent on what type of solvent is used. The extraction was done using maceration method. The qualitative phytochemical investigation revealed the presence of tannins, steroids, saponins, glycosides, phenols, alkaloids, flavonoids and terpenoids (Table 1) in the methanol, aqueous, chloroform, n-hexane, and petroleum ether extract. Glycosides, phenols, alkaloids, flavonoids and terpenoids were not detected in the chloroform extract. Tannin, glycosides, phenols, alkaloids, flavonoids and terpenoids were not detected in the n-Hexane extract. Petroleum ether extract showed the presence of alkaloids only. The results of the quantitative analysis (Table 2) in the methanol extract revealed that tannins showed the highest quantity (24.7±0.709 mg/g), Terpenoids Showed the highest quantity (26.8±0.929 mg/g) in the aqueous extract, Steroids showed the highest quantity (57.9±0.153 mg/g) in the chloroform extract, Saponins showed the highest quantity (49.3±1.155 mg/g) in the n-Hexane extract and alkaloids showed the highest quantity (64.7±1.155 mg/g) in the petroleum ether extract. The results show that the phytochemicals are best extracted with methanol and aqueous for maximum percentage presence of the phytochemicals. The obtained results may provide a support to use this plant in traditional medicine.

Key words: Solvents, Qualitative, Quantitative, Phytochemical analysis, Acacia nilotica