Investigations into the phytochemical profile in the seeds of Elaeocarpus variabilis fruits: A potential untapped source endemic to Western Ghats

Abstract

Elaeocarpus variabilis, a highly endemic plant to the Nilgiris belonging to the family of Rudraksha owns a whole lot of phytochemical properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anticancer activity. Despite its enormous properties, it is one of the unexplored herb available locally. The seeds showed such immense properties and the identification of compounds responsible for these properties is a crucial part. Hence, the qualitative identification was carried out using Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and normalization of the appropriate solvent system for quantification by Preparative Thin Layer Chromatography and composition of the compounds present were investigated using High performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). The results from HPTLC showed the presence of quercetin like compounds and further, structural elucidation of the active principle can be proceeded with Liquid Chromatography-Mass spectrometry (LCMS) and to determine the composition of the phytochemicals present.