Abstract
Purpose: To determine the chemical constituents of the aqueous and alcohol extracts of Prosopis farcta leaves.
Methods: Air-dried leaves of P. farcta (500 g) were cleaned and extracted with distilled water five times for 6 weeks to obtain the aqueous extract (fraction I), and later with 75 % ethanol five times for 6 weeks to obtain the alcohol extract (fraction 11). The constituents presented in the aqueous and alcohol extracts were separated by thin-layer chromatography using silica gel GF 254 and different solving systems. The total phenolic content of the extract was expressed in terms of Gallic acid in mg per gram of extract. Finally, the aqueous extract was subjected to column chromatography and the structures of different constituents were confirmed using C-13, H-1-NMR, and infrared (IR) spectroscopy.
Results: Chemical tests, thin-layer chromatography, and IR results showed that P. farcta extract contains gum, mucilage, tannins, proteins, amino acids, and nitrogenous compounds. The calibration curve (y = 0.5516 + 0.0017, r(2) = 0.9983) was constructed using serial dilutions of Gallic in distilled water; the total phenolic content was found to be 219 mg of Gallic acid per gram of extract. C-13 and H-1-NMR showed that P. farcta leaf extract contains beta-sitosterol and hesperidin.
Conclusion: P. farcta leaf extract contains two alkaloids and other nutritional components that may be beneficial for herbal medicine and nutrition purposes.