Abstract

ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A BIOACTIVE COMPOUND FROM ABRUS PRECATORIUS LINNAEUS LEAVES

Tanaya Ghosh, Prasenjit Mitra, Dilip Kumar Jha, Sumanta Gupta, Basudeb Basu and Prasanta Kumar Mitra*

ABSTRACT

A compound was isolated from the leaves of Abrus precatorius Linnaeus (Family, Fabaceae). Isolation process involved solvent extraction, acid hydrolysis, chromatography followed by crystallization. Spectral studies like infra red spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy as well as nuclear magnetic resonance studies were undertaken to characterize the compound. Results showed that the isolated compound was chemically 3,4-Dihydroxycinnamic acid. 3,4-Dihydroxycinnamic acid, also known as caffeic acid, is a bioactive compound and has several pharmacological actions.

Keywords: Abrus precatorium Linnaeus, chromatographic techniques, 3,4-Dihydroxycinnamic acid.