Abstract

QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE STUDY OF PHYTOCHEMICALS IN MUNTINGIA CALABURA L. LEAF AND FRUIT

Marimuthu Krishnaveni* and Ravi Dhanalakshmi

Abstract

Muntingia calabura L is a fast growing medicinal plant, attracts fruit eating birds such as flower peckers. The timbers are lightweight, durable and used in carpentry. Fruit from Muntingia is also harvested for export overseas. The leaves and fruits were studied for its phytochemical analysis both qualitatively and quantitatively and also for its behavior with aqueous extract powders, fluorescence, nutrients. Among the phytochemicals assessed, the carbohydrate, glycosides, tannin, phenolic compounds, proteins and aminoacids showed strong reactions, whereas, moderate reaction was observed with rest of the phytochemicals. Positive result was observed with flurosence study. The total yield obtained from 15gm powder was 09.95% with leaf and 16.01% with fruit. The carbohydrate content was found to be higher with leaf (204.0±3.46mg/g carbohydrate ) when compared to fruit (75.33±4.61mg/g carbohydrate). But, the protein content was higher with fruit extract (6.44±0.15mg/g protein) on comparison with leaf extract (2.04±0.15mg/g protein). Moderate amount of aminoacids content was observed with leaf and fruits. The behavior of the extract powder was positive for alkaloids, proteins, flavonoids, anthroquinone.

Keywords: Aminoacids, Aqueous extract, Leaf, Muntingia calabura, Protein.