Steroid and fatty acid contents from the leaves of Carica papaya.

AIM: To extract and identify the non-polar entities from the leaves of Carica papaya, a plant used for medicinal purpose as folk medicine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Petroleum ether extract of the Carica papaya leaves was used for this study. Saponification process and methylation process was performed to separate fatty acids and unsaponifiable matters. Phytochemical constituents were separated using chemical process and separated fractions were analyzed by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). RESULTS: The chemical composition of the steroids, triterpenoids and fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) in leaves of Carica papaya, which were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). A total of 15 fatty acid components were identified in saponifiable matter, from unsaponifiable portion 2 steroids (campesterol, ß- or γ-sitosterol), 1 triterpene (squalene), and 1 diterpene (phytol) were identified. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the extract is rich in non-polar compounds. In this study, GC-MS method is at the central focus for identification of these phytoconstituents. The current method can be used for direct analysis of non-polar entities of plant material.

Triterpenoid and Fatty Acid Contents from the Stem Bark of Cordia dichotoma (Forst f.).

AIM: To isolate and determine the chemical constituents of the stem bark of Cordia dichotoma (Forst f.), a plant used for medicinal purpose in folk medicine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Petroleum ether extract of the stem bark was used for this study. Saponification process was performed to separate fatty acid and unsaponifiable matter. RESULTS: One triterpenoids, α-amyrin was isolated from the bark by using isocratic elution. The chemical compounds isolated, for the first time, were analyzed by GC/MS, IR, and UV. The chemical composition of the fatty acids methyl esters (FAMEs) in bark of Cordia dichotoma were also analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. After methyl-esterification, 17 components were identified in the bark. The derivatization conditions were investigated in order to validate this method. CONCLUSION: The present analysis revealed that Cordia dichotoma stem bark contains 17 fatty acid. The principal themes of the review highlight the development and application of chromatographic techniques for the separation, isolation and detection of the compounds.