Abstract

AN EVALUATION OF THE COMPARATIVE QUALITATIVE ALKALOID CONTENT OF BARK EXTRACTS OF ACACIA CATECHU

Archana Tiwari* and Prof. (Dr.) Avinash Tiwari

ABSTRACT

Alkaloids are naturally occurring organic nitrogen-containing bases found primarily in plants, and many have been recognised for their beneficial therapeutic potential. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of alkaloids in different test extracts of test plant samples. For this, thirty different samples of the bark of Acacia catechu were collected from different seasonal conditions in the researched area, and each sample was subjected to the preparation of six extracts. These extracts were then analyzed for the presence or absence of alkaloids using different methods. The results showed the presence of alkaloids in ethanol, methanol, aqueous, acetone, and chloroform extracts of the test samples, while benzene extracts were seen to be devoid of the same. Both alcoholic extracts were reported to have a comparatively greater content of alkaloids, as indicated in the dark-colour reaction mixture. This preliminary study may provide the ground for further research into the use of indigenous plants for medicinal purposes.

Keywords: Acacia catechu bark extract, alkaloid, qualitative analysis, ethanolic extracts.