Journal de cytologie et d'histologie

Phytochemical Properties and Staining Ability of Red Onion (Allium cepa)Extract on Histological Sections

Abstract

Sunday Ewaoche Itodo, Steve Oyero, EU Umeh, Amodu Ben and Musa Dauda Etubi

The staining ability of Allium cepa (red onion) skin extract on tissue sections was determined. The dried red onion skin was ground into small pieces and 300 g (150 g for aqueous and 150 g for ethanolic extraction) of the milled dried red onion skin was used for extraction. Dark red-pigmented granules were obtained. The aqueous and ethanolic extract of mordanted (Potassium aluminum alum and ferric chloride), non-mordanted and acidified solution prepared from the extract were used to stain tissue sections. Cytoplasm of cells and connective tissues were remarkably stained in shades of redish to yellowish brown colours. Preliminary phytochemical screening of these extracts reveals that it contained alkaloid steroid ring, saponin, Tannin, Flavonoid, Cardiac glycoside and anthraquinone. The presence of pigments, saponin, tannin, contributed to the staining ability of the extract.