International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN (Online): 2319-7064 Index Copernicus Value (2015): 78.96 | Impact Factor (2015): 6.391 Volume 6 Issue 10, October 2017 www.ijsr.net Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY Proximate and Elemental Composition of Methanolic Extract of Boswellia dalzielii Hutch. (Frankincense Tree: Burseracea) U. T. Mamza 1 , O. A. Sodipo 2 , F. I. Abdulrahman 3 , I. Z. Khan 4 1, 3, 4 Department of Chemistry, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria 2 Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria Abstract: This study is aimed at investigating the proximate contents, concentrations of some micro/macro elements and anions of the stem bark and leaves of B. dalzielii with the view of validating its use as forage and medicinal by man in the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery and in wound healing. The stem bark and leaves of B. dalzielii were collected from Bagale-Giere Local Government Area, Adamawa State, Nigeria. Proximate analysis was conducted following methods of Association of Official Analytical Chemists and the results showed that the stem bark had the higher dry matter (90.94 %), nitrogen free extract (54.13 %), crude fibre (30.65 %), and ash (8.34 %), while crude proteins (4.63 %), fats (21.20 %), carbohydrates (57.76 %) and moisture content (12.41 %) were estimated to be higher in the leaves of this plant. The levels of 11 elements (Ca, Mg, Na, K, Fe, Cd, Cu, Ni, Zn, Cr, Pb) were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer, the anions (nitrates, phosphates and sulphates) were estimated using smart spectrophotometer. The results revealed higher concentrations of macro elements and microelements in the leaves sample except for Cr concentration which was higher (4.0 x 10 -5 ±0.00) mg/g in the stem bark than in the leaves (3.80 x 10 -5 ±0.01) mg/g. In both the samples Pb was not detected.The concentrations of nitrates, phosphates and sulphates were higher in the leaves (1.52 x 10 -2 , 4.0 x 10 -3 , 1.33 x 10 -2 ) mg/g than the stem bark (1.40 x 10 -2, 3.0 x 10 -4 , 1.24 x 10 -2 ) mg/g respectively.The proximate, elemental and anions concentrations for these parts of B. dalzielii were mostly found within the permissible limit set by World Health Organization. Keywords: Anions, Boswellia dalzielii, leaves, elements, proximate, stem-bark. 1. Introduction In Africa and across the globe, herbal medicines represent the fastest growing segment of pharmacy trade, surely the cost of modern clinical medicines cannot be over looked, so most people consider other alternative form of medicines. Most herbal medicines are less expensive than prescription drugs (Sofowora et al., 2013). Nature has been the source of medicine for thousands of years in the maintenance of human health since ancient time (Mamza et al., 2015). Over 50 % of all modern clinical drugs are of natural product origin (Danlami et al., 2015). The chemical constituents of plants, including metal ions, are particularly responsible for medicinal and nutritional properties, as well as the toxicity. The cumulative levels of these metals in both the roots and other tissues of plant above the ground can be transferred from soils into the food chain; thus causing phytotoxicity in plants and having potential harmful effects on animals and humans (Hussain Hussain et al.2006). WHO (1998) recommends that medicinal plants, which form the raw materials for the finished products, may be checked for the presence of heavy metals, pesticides, bacterial or fungal contamination. Boswellia dalzielii is a tree that belongs to the family of Burseraceae, from the genus of Boswellia and species of B. dalzielii.It is about 13m high of the wooden savanna with a pale papery bark peeling and ragged characteristics. It is abundantly found in West Africa in countries such as Ghana, Niger, Ivory Coast, Upper Volta, Cameroun and Northern part of Nigeria, where the Hausa speaking people of Nigeria call it “Hano” or “Ararrabi”, Margi “Mofu” and Babur-Bura “Debro” (Moses et al.,2005; Mahamat et al., 2014a). The plant is popular in the Northern part of Nigeria due to its ethno medicinal importance.A bark-decoction is used as an antiseptic wash for sores in Ivory-Coast and is an ingredient of a complicated prescription for leprosy (Burkill, 1985). In northern Nigeria, the bark is boiled up in large quantity to make a wash for fever, rheumatism etc., and the fluid is taken internally for gastrointestinal troubles (Burkill, 1985, Danlami et al., 2015). The Fulani people of northern Nigeria use a cold infusion for snake bite (Burkill, 1985). The fresh bark of the root is eaten in Adamawa State, Nigeria, to cause vomiting after a few hours and thus relieves symptoms of giddiness and palpitations as well as antidotes to arrow- poison (Burkill, 1985; Danlami et al., 2015). B. dalzielii is a staple household medicine for dental problems, swellings, bronchitis and coughs (Ben-Yehoshua et al., 2012). The psychoactivity of B. dalzielii was recognized in ancient times in the near East and Europe. In India, the traditional Ayurvedic medical system refers to the use of the gum extracted from Boswellia dalzielii, which is recommended for arthritic and inflammatory conditions, gastric disorders, pulmonary diseases and skin ailments. It is also reported to have a strong action on the nervous system and reduces phlegm, asthmatic attack and stops vomiting (Ben-Yehoshua et al., 2012).B. dalzielii has strong antibacterial, antibiotic, antifungal and antiseptic properties, making it a valuable ingredient in natural medicine (Ben- Yehoshua et al., 2012). According to Mahamat et al. (2014a, 2014b), B. dalzielii has shown a potent immunological effect and immune modulatory activity both in vitro and in vivo in northern Cameroon. In the Republic of Benin, B. dalzielii has shown a wide spectrum of antibacterial activity (Anago et al., 2011). In Nigeria, antibacterial activities and gastrointestinal effects of B. dalzielii have been reported by different researchers (Oguakwa, 1980; Alemika and Paper ID: ART20177286 DOI: 10.21275/ART20177286 751