3. Results and discussion3.1. Phytochemical Analysis Phytochemicals, especially phenols, are known to be major bioactive compounds with health benefits. Plant extracts containing different classes of polyphenols are very interesting in the food industry. Therefore, in this study, the total phenolic content and total flavonoid content of fava bean extract were investigated. The Folin-Ciocalteu phenol method estimated a total phenolic content of 22,415 GAE equivalents (μg GAE/mg sample). The presence of a high amount of phenolics in faba seeds indicates its potential as a good natural antioxidant. Flavonoids have been recognized to exhibit antioxidant activity[24]. The total flavonoid content of the reconstituted extract was estimated by the aluminum chloride method, and the results were expressed as µg catechin equivalents (EC) per mg dry weight of the extract based on the calibration curve of the standard. The total flavonoid content in dried faba seeds was estimated to be 7.814 in µg catechin equivalents (CE)/mg. Crude alkaloids and saponins in faba seed extract were estimated to be 2.99% and 0.002%, respectively. Their presence in moderate quantities in faba seeds reveals their therapeutic significance. These alkaloids in a diet consisting of fava bean seeds can prove beneficial for healing wounds, varicose ulcers, hemorrhoids, frostbite and burns in herbal medicine. Saponins, on the other hand, are antinutritional factors and can reduce the absorption of some nutrients including cholesterol and glucose in the intestine through intraluminal physicochemical interaction (Okwu and Okwu)[25]. Saponin was observed in negligible quantities in the sample. Table 1: Phytochemical analysis of faba seed sample Total phenolics (μg GAE/ ...... half of paper ...... analysis ds, AOAC, Association of Official Analytical Chemists. Edition 18: AOAC, 2005.23 Official Methods of Analysis, AOAC, Association of Official Analytical Chemists. Edition 17: AOAC, 2003.24. Antioxidant and antibacterial effects of seeds and peel of the fruits of nutraceutical plants belonging to the Fabaceae family Journal of The Royal Society of Chemistry 2010.27, Paule S. The Manual of Natural Living Edition 1, Biddles Limited Guildford Surrey, 1979,98.28, Heymann H. Sensory evaluation of foods: principles. and practices, 1998