PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENIG AND HIGH PERFORMANCE THIN LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY[HPTLC] DETECTION OF PHENOLIC ACIDS IN LANATA CAMARA LEAVES CULTIVATED IN IRAQ

Abstract

Objective: the objective of this work was to investigate the phytochemical groups and to detect phenolic acids in L. camara leaves using high- performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC). Methods: Leaves of L. camara were macerated thrice a week in petroleum ether, then in ethanol. Powdered leaves and ethanolic extract were subjected to phytochemical investigation. Acidic hydrolysis were performed on the extract, and then fractionated by petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol. The chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions were analyzed by HPTLC for their phenolic acid contents. Result: L. camara leaves devoid of alkaloids. Three different phenolic acids were detected in the leaf extract. Conclusion: Gallic acid, caffeic acid and p-coumaric acid were detected in L. camara leaves