Abstract

UNVEILING THE CHEMICAL TREASURES OF IPOMOEA OBSCURA: PHYTOCHEMICAL PROFILING AND COMPOUND ISOLATION

Krishna Kumar A.* and Dr. Vivek Chauhan

Abstract

Ipomoea obscura (L.), a lesser-explored species of the Convolvulaceae family, has been traditionally used in Kerala, India, for treating ailments such as skin disorders and inflammation, yet its phytochemical potential remains underexploited. This study aimed to profile the phytochemical constituents of its leaf, fruit, and stem methanolic extracts and isolate key compounds using advanced analytical techniques, including thin-layer chromatography (TLC), UV spectroscopy, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Phytochemical screening revealed a diverse profile, with the leaf extract showing the highest yield (13.13% w/w) and containing alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, and other metabolites, aligning with its ethnobotanical significance. TLC and LC-MS identified myricetin (m/z 325) and kaempferol (m/z 281), with kaempferol’s structure confirmed via Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). These findings highlight Ipomoea obscura as a promising source of bioactive compounds, bridging traditional knowledge with scientific validation and underscoring its potential for drug discovery, while emphasizing the need for refined isolation techniques to enhance its pharmacological applicability

Keywords: Ipomoea obscura, Myricetin, Kaempferol, Bioactive compounds, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR).