Phytochemical analysis of different Cymbopogon citratus leaves extract

Abstract

Chemical profiling of raw materials Cymbopogon citratus was carried out to establish a standard quality of C. citratus. The raw material C. citratus was collected in Alor Setar, Kedah. Evaluation were conducted on the phytochemical contents of C. citratus leaves in different solvents extraction, ethanol, methanol and distilled water. Two techniques were chose for extraction process which is maceration and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) technique. After cleaning process, gravimetric analysis was carried out in the form of total foreign matter, ash, acid insoluble ash and loss on drying on C. citratus leaves. From the gravimetric analysis, the raw materials consists of 0.23±0.02% foreign matter, 6.98±0.17% ash, 1.18 ± 0.03% acid insoluble ash and 7.21±0.04% moisture contents. The C. citratus leaves were then undergoes screening process to determine total flavonoids, phenolics and proteins. Ethanolic extract for maceration and UAE technique showed the highest contents of flavonoids. Phenolic contents analysis are also showed that ethanolic extract in maceration was the highest compare to others. For UAE, methanolic extract showed the highest phenolic contents value of C. citratus leaves. For total protein contents, distilled water in maceration was the highest while ethanol in UAE showed the highest value compare to others. Color test was carried out in identify the presence of flavonoids, glycosides and anthraquinones by adding five drops of different chemical onto the leaves. The color changed indicates the presences of specific phytochemical contents. Chemometric analysis were carried out using Thin-Layer Chromatographic (TLC), Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy and UV-vis spectra. TLC provides an evidence of chlorophyll in C. citratus leaves from the red spots and flavonoids are presents by flourescent spots or light blue spots. FTIR exhibit the functional groups that presence in C. citratus leaves in form of alkanes, alkenes, carboxylic acids, alkyl halides, aromatics, amines, amides, alcohols, esters, ethers and aliphatic amines. UV-vis spectra recognised flavonoids and polyphenol skeleton in raw material C. citratus.