Preliminary Studies on Phytochemicals of Solvent Extracts of Eichhornia crassipes

 

B.S.Krishnamoorthy¹*, Dr. N. Nattuthurai², Arunkumar K.³, Revathi T.⁴, S. Kamatchi⁴

 

ABSTRACT:

Totally ten components (i.e) alkaloids, terpenoids, saponin, flavonoid, tannin, glycosides, phenol, steroids, reducing sugar and carbohydrates were tested with different solvent extract. The phytochemical tests result indicates that presence of alkaloid, terpenoids, flavonoids, tannin, phenols, steroid and carbohydrate in ethanol extract and absence of saponins, Glycosides and reducing sugar. In acetone extract indicates that terpenoid, tannins and steroid presence and absence of alkaloids, saponins, flavonoid, glycosides, phenols, reducing sugar and carbohydrate. In Aqueous extract, saponins, glycosides, steroids and reducing sugars were absent and rest of the components present.

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

Plants have formed the basis of sophisticated traditional medicine systems that have been in existence for thousands of years such extensive dependence of human being  on “Mother Nature” has invoked tremendous interest  in the scientific  world,  which  ultimately  led  to  the  isolation  of  a  vast  number  of  chemical  agents  with  potentials  for multipurpose  uses[1].

 

Water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes, originated in the state of Amazon, Brazil, spread to other regions of South America, and was carried by humans throughout the tropics and subtropics. It is now widespread and recognized as one of the top10 weeds in the world. Water hyacinth has invaded Africa, Asia and North America and will occur in at least 62 countries by 2010. It causes extremely serious ecological, economical and social problems in regions between 40 degrees north and 45 degree south [2].

 

It can quickly grow to very high densities (over 60kg m-2); thereby completely clogging water bodies, which in turn may have negative effects on the environment, human health and economic development [3].

 

Several authors previously reported the phytochemical  studies  in the plant E. crassipes by using different solvent extract.  Phytochemical  studies  have  shown  that  plants  with  antimicrobial  activity  contain bioactive constituents such as tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids and saponins, etc.[4-7]. The selection of crude plant extracts for screening programs is potentially more successful in initial steps than the pure compounds [7].  In this present investigation deals with the Assessment of phytochemicals present in the Eichhornia crassipes by using different solvents.

 

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Plant collection:

Fresh Plant of Eichhornia crassipes was collected from Vaigai River, Madurai, Tamilnadu, India. They were identified with the help of Head, Dept. of Botany of our College. The leaves were shade dried at room temperature for 20 days. The dried plant material was sliced, ground coarsely, pulverized to powder and stored for further use.

 

Preparation of extracts:

Each powdered plant material was extracted by soxhlet extraction and wet reflux condensation processes using ethanol, acetone and water as the extracting solvents. The extracts obtained were concentrated for further studies at reduced pressure and temperature in a rotary evaporator and were then examined for the presence of secondary metabolites by different phytochemical tests.

Qualitative analysis of phytochemical substance

The extracts were subjected to phytochemical analysis to detect the presence of following component by using the standard qualitative procedures [8].

 

1) Test for Alkaloids: 1ml of 1% HCl was added to 3ml of extract in a test tube and was treated with few drop of Meyer’s reagent. A creamy white precipitate indicted the presence of alkaloids

2) Test for terpenoids: 5 ml of extract was mixed with 2 ml of CHCl3 in a test tube. 3 ml of concentrated H2SO4 was carefully added to the mixture to form a layer. An interface with a reddish brown coloration was formed for the presence of terpenoids

 

3) Test for saponins: 5 ml of extract was shaken vigorously to obtain a stable persistent froth. The frothing was then mixed with 3 drops of olive oil and observed for the formation of emulsion, which indicated the presence of saponins.

 

4) Test for flavonoids: A few drops of 1% NH3 solution was added to the extract in a test tube. A yellow coloration was observed for the presence of flavonoids.

 

5) Test for tannins: To 0.5 ml of extract solution, 1 ml of distilled water and 1-2 drops of ferric chloride solution were added and observed for brownish green or a blue black coloration.

 

6) Test for glycosides: 10ml of 50% H2SO4 was added to 1ml of extract in a boiling tube. The mixture was heated in boiling water for 5min. 10ml of Fehling’s solution (5ml of each solution A and B) was added and boiled. A brick red precipitate indicated presence of glycosides

 

7) Test for phenols: Ferric Chloride Test: Extracts were treated with 3-4 drops of ferric chloride solution. Formation of bluish black colour indicates the presence of phenol.

8) Test for steroids: 2 ml of acetic anhydride was added to extract and then 2ml of H₂SO₄ was added, the colour changes from violet to blue or green in samples extract indicates the presence of steroids.

 

9) Test for reducing sugars: A small fraction of extract was added vigorously with 5 ml of distilled water and filtered to the filtrates while equal volume of Fehling’s solution was added and were shaken vigorously. A brick red precipitation indicates the presence of reducing sugars.

 

10) Test for Carbohydrates: The extract was shaken vigorously with water and then filtered. To the aqueous filtrate was added few drops of Molisch’s reagents. Followed by vigorous shaking again, concentrated H2SO4 1ml was carefully added to form a layer below the aqueous solution. A brown ring at the interface indicated the positive.

 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

Totally ten components (i.e) alkaloids, terpenoids, saponin, flavonoid, tannin, glycosides, phenol, steroids, reducing sugar and carbohydrates were tested with different solvent extract (Table I). The phytochemical tests result indicates that presence of alkaloid, terpenoids, flavonoids, tannin, phenols, steroid and carbohydrate in ethanol extract and absence of saponins, Glycosides and reducing sugar. In acetone extract indicates that terpenoid, tannins and steroid presence and absence of alkaloids, saponins, flavonoid, glycosides, phenols, reducing sugar and carbohydrate. In Aqueous extract, saponins, glycosides, steroids and reducing sugars were absent and rest of the components present.

 

Few previous results were correlate with our findings, the presence of alkaloid, flavonoids, steroid, tannins, phenolic contents, quinone and anthraquinone in aqueous extract of dry Eichhornia crassipes^[3] , ^[9] reported the presence of alkaloid, phenol, steroid, tannin and saponin in methanol extract of dry Eichhornia crassipes where as reported the absence of flavonoids. ^[10] the presence of saponin, glycoside and anthraquinone but absence of alkaloid in chloroform extract of dry water hyacinth. Presence of flavonoids in this plant was reported by Nyananyo et al ^[11].

 

 

Table I. shows the phytochemical compounds of Eichhornia crassipes by using different solvents.

 

CONCLUSION:

Phytochemical studies was carried out with water hyacinth has revealed the presence of many metabolites. The present study portrays that the phytochemicals in freshwater hyacinth may contribute in many significant ways for various studies in a truthful manner to the pharmaceutical activity of the plant in future.

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

The author thanks The Management, Principal, Vice-principal, Head –Dept.of Zoology and Botany, and co-workers for their constant support and arrange necessary facility for completion of this work successful.

 

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Received on 11.03.2014          Modified on 01.05.2014

Accepted on 05.05.2014         © RJPT All right reserved