Preliminary phytochemical screening and GC-MS analysis of leaf extract of Acacia catechu (L.f.) Willd

Abstract

Acacia catechu is a deciduous tree and reported to possess therapeutic properties. In the present study fifty percent hydromethanolic extract of leaves of Acacia catechu (ACE) was prepared and analyzed for presence of various phytoconstituents in ACE employing different biochemical qualitative tests and GC-MS analysis. It was further explored for its antioxidative potential through hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay. Biochemical tests confirmed presence of various phytochemicals viz., resins, tannins, Saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, etc. GC-MS analysis showed presence of four compounds when compared with NIST and WELLY library. Acacia catechu (A. catechu) showed presence of Caprylic acid methyl ester (19.77%), Lauric acid methyl ester (27.42%), 2-Ethyl-3-methyl-1-butene (42.09%) and Myristic acid methyl ester (10.72%), etc. The present study indicated anti-oxidative property of ACE. The percent H2O2 scavenging activity of ACE was found to be 33.40%. Thus it could be inferred that ACE displayed presence of various phytoconstituents which could be responsible for its antioxidative potential.