Isolation and characterization of phytoconstituents from petroleum ether extract of Momordica cochinchinensis fruits

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to isolate and characterize the chemical constituents from fruits of Momordica cochinchinensis. The principal theme of the study is to develop applied chromatographic techniques for the separation, isolation and detection of the compounds. The petroleum ether extract of fruits of Momordica cochinchinensis was saponified and unsaponifiable matter was subjected to column chromatography and elution of column was carried out by Petroleum ether (100%) with increasing concentration of ethyl acetate for the separation of phytoconstituents. The isolated compounds were characterized and analyzed by physical characteristics, IR, NMR and Mass spectroscopy. Three known compounds lupeol, β-amyrin and β-sitosterol were determined for the first time from fruits of Momordica cochinchinensis. From the present study, it is concluded that the plant consists of phytosterols which can be isolated and characterized by chromatographical and spectroscopical method.