Analysis of Sudanese Cassia senna: Some Parameters for Chemical Quality Control

The quality control determination on senna pods (prepared from Cassia senna L., which grows wildly in Central Sudan), have been conducted. Moisture, ash, crude fibre water and ethanol soluble extractive and total hydroxyanthracene glycosides (calculated as sennoside B) content have been carried out using C. senna pods collected from three different populations. Concentrations of K, Ca, Ti , Cr , Mn , Fe, Cu, Zn , Pb, Br, Rb, Sr, Zr and Nb in senna pod were also determined by X-Ray fluorescence. The mean content of sennoside B of Sudanese senna pods ranges between 4.5% and 6.0% of dry pod weight. Thus, the investigated pod samples could be considered as official. Within the three localities of the study, variations exist in relation to the mineral content of the pod.