Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Submitted to:
Mrs. Marinella P. Garcia Sy
Submitted by:
Princess Fay S. Lopez
Mark Ranniel M. Estarez
IV- Science Class (B)
October 2012
ABSTRACT
The importance of plants is known to us well. The plant kingdom is a treasure house of
potential drugs and in the recent years there has been an increasing awareness about the
importance of medicinal plants. Drugs from the plants are easily available, less expensive, safe,
and efficient and rarely have side effects.
Papua Plant Leaves were air dried and washed with distilled water. It was cut into
pieces and turned into smaller pieces using the domestic blender. The extract was obtained and
transferred to Beaker using cheese cloth.
The extract was then screened for the presence of nine phytochemicals which were
alkaloids, carbohydrates, glycosides, saponins, phenols, tannins, anthocyanin, protein and
flavonoids.
The result revealed the abundance of flavonoids, saponins and proteins. There were
traced amounts of carbohydrates, alkaloids, phenols and anthocyanin. However, glycosides and
tannins were absent in the plant extract.
Based on the results of the phytochemical screening, properties and uses of Papua
Plant extract could be used in the industry such as foaming agents, wood and plastic production
as well as other chemical processes.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The researchers would like to express their deepest gratitude and heartfelt appreciation
to the people who showed their support throughout the completion of this study and also to the
people who shared their time and their God-given talents to accomplish this study. To name a
few:
Mrs. Marinella P. Garcia Sy, the research adviser, who has been there in every step of
the research, for her strong encouragement to pursue the study even during the most critical
times;
Ms. Farrah O. Macapagal for extending their never- ending support and sharing every
knowledge and for helping the researcher complete the study;
Ms. Amelia G. Quizon, the class adviser, who has been there and always ready to help
the researchers, and for her moral support and motivation;
Mrs. Lucena T. Serrana and Mrs. Luchie Muico, for assisting the researchers and for
giving them the permission to use the Bio-Laboratory;
Mr. Rosauro A. Villanueva and Ms. Lydia V. Cheng for their encouragement and
financial aids;
Ms. Celine Kate T. Balin, Ms. Vernikka Naomi A. Mangaluz, Mr. Ahrby R. Estarez,
Mr. Nathan Yosef V. De Jesus, Ms. Jeramy Raizza May D. Espinar, Ms. Meryll M.
Manalastas, the co-researchers who have been there since the start of the study, always ready
to help and for giving the researchers the support and encouragement they need;
IV- Special Science Class (B) students for bringing back the joyful and encouraging
spirit every time things got difficult, for lending a helping hand every time the researchers need
some. Without them, the researchers would not have been inspired with what they are doing;
The Parents of the Researchers who gave their unparalleled support until the
completion of the study;
And above all, to the Almighty God, the Guiding Light, who gave every reason why the
researchers continue the project despite circumstances, for guiding them and making things
easy to carry, and also reminding them that success comes with big challenges.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page .... ... i
Table of Contents ......... ii
Abstract.........................iii
Acknowledgement ........iv
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study .... 1
Objective of the Study ... .2
Significance of the Study ....2
Scope and Limitations .... 3
Definition of Terms .. 4
REVIEWOF RELATED LITERTURE
Papua (Polyscias fruticosa)......... 6
Phytochemicals 8
Related Studies ..13
METHODOLOGY
Research Model .....18
Phytochemical Profiling.....20
Materials ........ 20
Procedure ...20
Preparation of Extract ........20
Preparation of Reagents .... 21
Phytochemical Screening .30
INTRODUCTION
The importance of plants is known to us well. The plant kingdom is a treasure house of
potential drugs and in the recent years there has been an increasing awareness about the
importance of medicinal plants. Drugs from the plants are easily available, less expensive, safe,
and efficient and rarely have side effects. The plants which have been selected for medicinal
use over thousands of years constitute the most obvious choice of examining the current search
for therapeutically effective new drugs such as anticancer drugs, antimicrobial drugs,
antihepatotoxic compounds.
Plants would be the best source to obtain variety of drugs. About 80% of individuals from
developed countries use traditional medicines, which has compounds derived from medicinal
plants. However, such plants should be investigated to better understand their properties,
safety, and efficiency.
Medicinal plants contain some organic compounds which provide definite physiological
action on the human body and these bioactive substances include tannins, alkaloids,
carbohydrates, terpenoids, steroids and flavonoids. These compounds are synthesized by
primary or rather secondary metabolism of living organisms. Secondary metabolites are
chemically and taxonomically extremely diverse compounds with obscure function. They are
widely used in the human therapy, veterinary, agriculture, scientific research and countless other
areas. A large number of phytochemicals belonging to several chemical classes have been
shown to have inhibitory effects on all types of microorganisms in vitro.
Plant products have been part of phytomedicines since time immemorial. This can be
derived from barks, leaves, flowers, roots, fruits, seeds. Knowledge of the chemical constituents
of plants is desirable because such information will be value for synthesis of complex chemical
substances.
agent. In industry, they are essential in providing foaming agents. Anthocyanin can be used as
pH indicators while protein and carbohydrates are parts of a healthy cell.
The results can contribute to the development of new generalizations regarding new
plant that have important phytochemical constituents. It can also be a stepping stone for more
sophisticated quantitative analysis of exact amount of the phytochemicals detected in the plant.
Thus, providing recommendations for further study is a part of the goal of this project.
Definition of Terms
Alkaloids highly reactive substances with biological activity in low doses and
contains nitrogen. It is bitter tasting, generally white solids and give a precipitate
with heavy metal iodides.
A. Description
An erect shrub native from India to Polynesia, growing from 1 to 2.5 meters high.
Leaves are compound, pinnate, and up to 30 cm long. The pinnae are 6 to 10, the upper
ones are shortedd. Leaflets and ultimate segments are very diverse, mostly lanceolate, 5 to
10 cm long; the terminal segments are usually larger than the others and more often lobed,
pointed at the tip, sharply and irregularly toothed. Flowers are numerous, umbellately
arranged, shortly stalked, borne on terminal inflorescences in the upper axils of the leaves,
up to 15 cm long. Fruit is broadly ovoid, compressed and about 4 cm long. Papua needs full
sun to partial shade to high interior lighting. In the greenhouse, we use a soil mix consisting
of 2 parts peat moss to 2 parts loam to 1 part sand or perlite. The plants should be kept
moist and never should be allowed to dry thoroughly. Plants are fertilized only 3 times during
the growing season using a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength recommended on
the label. Since the plants are fairly slow growers, very little pruning is needed to keep the
desired form. During the winter months, water should be restricted, but the plant should
never be allowed to dry out completely.
The leaves in the form of a decoction are used to treat a variety of gastric maladies
(tympanism, dyspepsia, flatulence and diarrhoea). In Malaysia it is commonly used to
treat haemorrhoids where the leaves are finely powdered as a poultice and shaped into
an elongated mass to be inserted per rectal at bedtime. The roots and twigs are used for
cleaning gums, teeth and relieving mouth ulcers.
Renal Disease
The plant is belived to have diuretic properties and it is used in the treatment of
kidney diseases especially stones.The part which is most active is the roots. For
cleansing the kidneys Indonesian traditional practitioners recommend extracting the juice
of the fresh leaves.
Other Uses
In China and Indo-China it is considered a sudorific and febrifuge and it used in the
treatment of fever. It also has astringent and anti-inflammatory properties and for this it is
used to help ally rheumatic pains and neuralgia. The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked
as vegetable. It is also used to flavor meat and fish because it has the taste of parsley.
Phytochemicals
The study of phytochemicals that are derived from plants is known as phytochemistry.
Description of various metabolic compounds can be useful for understanding plant functionality.
As these secondary metabolites are known to protect plants from insects and various diseases
affecting plants phytochemical studies are important. The extraction of phytochemicals and their
isolation for use are common practices. The phytochemical properties of plants are helpful in
treating medical conditions. They could be a part of the industry, as well.
A Alkaloids
Alkaloids are found primarily in plants and are especially common in certain families
of flowering plants. More than 3,000 different types of alkaloids have been identified in a total of
more than 4,000 plant species. The function of alkaloids in plants is not yet understood. It has
been suggested that they are simply waste products of plants metabolic processes, but
evidence suggests that they may serve specific biological functions. In some plants, the
concentration of alkaloids increases just prior to seed formation and then drops off when the
seed is ripe, suggesting that alkaloids may play a role in this process.
Alkaloids may also protect some plants from destruction by certain insect species.
The medicinal properties of alkaloids are quite diverse. Certain alkaloids act as cardiac or
respiratory stimulants. Quindine, which is obtained from plants of the genus Cinchona, is used
to treat arrhythmias, or irregular rhythms of the heartbeat. Many alkaloids affect respiration, but
in a complicated manner such that severe respiratory depression may follow stimulation. It also
acts as antimicrobial, antihelmintic and antidiarrheal.
B Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are one of the main types of nutrients. They are the most important
source of energy for your body. Your digestive system changes carbohydrates into glucose
(blood sugar). Your body uses this sugar for energy for your cells, tissues and organs. It stores
any extra sugar in your liver and muscles for when it is needed.
Carbohydrates are called simple or complex, depending on their chemical structure.
Simple carbohydrates include sugars found naturally in foods such as fruits, vegetables, milk,
and milk products. They also include sugars added during food processing and refining.
Complex carbohydrates include whole grain breads and cereals, starchy vegetables and
legumes. Many of the complex carbohydrates are good sources of fiber.
C Glycosides
Glycosides are believed to serve several purposes in the plant. Glycosides are bitter
tasting, and it is believed that they help keep birds and insects from eating seeds and fruit
before they are fully grown, by which time the glycosides have been converted to sweet sugars.
Furthermore, glycosides are essential to industry. Among the important glycosides are indican,
used for dyeing; digitalin, used in medicine; and the saponins, foaming agents used industrially
and medicinally.
D Saponins
The name saponin is derived from the Latin word sapo, which means the plant that
consists of frothing agent when diluted in aqueous solution. Saponins comprise polycyclic
aglycones. The sapogenin or the aglycone part is either a triterpene or steroid. The combination
of sapogenin, hydrophobic or fat-soluble, hydrophilic or water-soluble sugar part enhances the
foaming ability of saponins. Some toxic saponins are known as sapotoxin.
Saponins are used on injection, for which it has a pharmacological reputation. It results
in the lysis of the blood cells, haemolysis, like all detergents, and is therefore highly toxic.
Saponins base are the basic of many arrow poisons. The best interesting part to be noted is
that, saponins have always been toxic to cold-blooded creatures like snake and/or fish.
Saponins have been also used as cleaning agents and as foam producers, notably in
fire-extinguishing fluids. They have a bitter taste and when ingested orally are practically
nonpoisonous to warm-blooded animals.
E.
Phenols
In organic chemistry, phenols are a class of chemical compunds consisting of a hydroxyl
group (OH) bonded directly to an aromatic hydrocarbon group. Phenols are found in the
natural world, especially in the plant kingdom. In some cases of natural phenols, they are
present in vegetative foliage to discourage herbivory. The class of phenols (or phenoles) is an
important raw material and an additive for industrial purposes in: laboratory processes, chemical
industry, chemical engineering processes, wood processing, and plastics processing.
E Tannins
These are also tannin acid, common name applied to a group of vegetable products,
amorphous and crystalline, obtained from various plants, and important commercially in the
tanning of leather. Tannins have variable composition. Some, called condensed tannins, are
phenols of moderately complex structure, and others are esters of glucose or some other sugar
with one or more trihydroxybenzoic acids. The empirical formula, C 14H14O11, often given for
common tannin, is only an average.
Tannins occur in many trees, and the best sources include oak galls and the bark of
sumac. Extraction with water, or water and alcohol, is the first step in the preparation of
tannin. Settling, followed by evaporation at a low temperature, yields the commercial product.
F Anthocyanins
Anthocyanins
can
be
used
as pH
indicators because
their
color
changes
with pH.Anthocyanins are pink in acidic solutions (pH < 7), purple in neutral solutions (pH ~ 7),
greenish yellow in alkaline solutions (pH > 7), and colorless in very alkaline solutions where the
pigment is completely reduced.
In photosynthetic tissues (such as leaves and sometimes stems), anthocyanins have
been shown to act as a sunscreen, protecting cells from high-light damage by absorbing bluegreen and UV light. In addition to their role as light-attenuators, anthocyanins also act as
powerful antioxidants. However, it is not clear whether anthocyanins can significantly contribute
to scavenging of free radicals produced through metabolic processes in leaves, since they are
located in the vacuole and, thus, spatially separated from metabolic reactive oxygen species.
Some studies have shown that hydrogen peroxide produced in other organelles can be
neutralized by vacuolar anthocyanin.
G Proteins
Proteins are any of a group of complex organic compounds which are the most
important constituents of protoplasm and are composed of amino acids combined in a large
molecule. They are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically
folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. Protein is a part of every
cell in the body, and no other nutrient plays as many different roles in keeping people alive and
healthy. The importance of protein for the growth and repair of muscles, bones, skin, tendons,
ligaments, hair, eyes and other tissues is proven since a very long time. Without it, the body
would lack the enzymes and hormones needed for metabolism, digestion and other important
processes.
H Flavonoids
Flavonoids are water soluble polyphenolic molecules containing 15 carbon atoms.
Flavonoids belong to the polyphenol family. Flavanoids can be visualized as two benzene rings
joined together with a short three carbon chain. One of the carbons of the short chain is always
connected to a carbon of one of the benzene rings, either directly or through an oxygen bridge,
thereby forming a third middle ring, which can be five or six-membered. The flavonoids consist
of six major subgroups: chalcone, flavone, flavonol, flavanone, anthocyanins and isoflavonoids.
Together with carotenes, flavanoids are also responsible for the coloring of fruits,
vegetables and herbs. It has many health promoting effects. Some of the activities attributed to
flavonoids include: anti-allergic, anti-cancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral. The
flavonoids quercetin is known for its ability to relieve hay fever, eczema, sinusitis and asthma.
Epidemiological studies have illustrated that heart diseases are inversely related to
flavonoid intake. Studies have shown that flavonoids prevent the oxidation of low-density
lipoprotein
thereby
reducing
the
risk
for
the
development
of
atherosclerosis.
The contribution of flavonoids to the total antioxidant activity of components in food can
be
very
high
because
daily
intake
can
vary
between
50
to
500
mg.
Red wine contains high levels of flavonoids, mainly quercetin and rutin. The high intake of red
wine (and flavonoids) by the French might explain why they suffer less from coronary heart
disease then other Europeans, although their consumption of cholesterol rich foods is higher
(French paradox). Many studies have confirmed that one or two glasses of red wine daily can
protect against heart disease.
Tea flavonoids have many health benefits. Tea flavonoids reduce the oxidation of lowdensity lipoprotein, lowers the blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.Soy flavonoids
(isoflavones) can also reduce blood cholesterol and can help to prevent osteoporis. Soy
flavonoids are also used to ease menopausal symptoms.
II.
Related Studies
saponins). Molluscicidal screening studies proved the effectiveness of NBES to control certain
kind of snails which are considered as the primary host of fluke worms.
A Pharmacognostic Report On The Leaf And Root Of Polyscias Fruticosa (L.) Harms
Bensita Mary Bernard, Nilani Pakianathan, R. Venkataswamy, And Madhu C. Divakar
The major diagnostic characters and qualitative chemical and physical tests responsible
for the pharmacognostic identity of the leaf and of root of Polyscias fruticosa (L) Harms have
been reported. Literature survey showed the absence of any systematic pharmacognostic
studies for this plant.
Polyscias Fruticosa-Medicinal Tonic
The leaves are deeply lobed and double-serrate margins irregularly. Place the leaves
are fragrant. The inflorescence is a short form blocks, including multiple scattering chy
collaborations. Each bearing numerous small flowers foliage has short-stalked.
Flowers white egg-shaped, 5 petals and 5 stamens with long filaments recharge with a
short and slender, elected under the two fields have white pale edges. Fruit Oblate silvery 3conductor 0.4 mm long, thick, carries hose exist. About 40-50 years, many scientists around the
world have to pay attention to effects increase the force, added body of many trees along with
ginseng plants.
Some trees in the family for the tonic is well-known and used from people in
longstanding us national team, such as ginseng, polyscias fruticosa also has additional effects
such as many relatives to it.
Old days in Duvall often organized wrestling, before wrestling wrestlers or decision
leaves polyscias fruticosa with water to drink for increased toughness, perennial indefatigable.
Parts used to make drugs mainly roots, taking in the crops from 3 years upwards.
People often dig taking root tree polyscias fruticosa in autumn or winter because at this
active focus on the roots and roots softer. Root digging about bringing clean sandy soil, finely
chopped and then drying, or drying.
Years ago scientists of our country (National Institute of military medicine) there are also
many studies use the polyscias fruticosa do drugs boost, increasing the likelihood of labour for
persons with good results.
Do supplements cause appetite, slept well, gaining weight, helps the body quickly
recovered after surgery, ill. Polyscias fruticosa used quite safely. The average dose is 0.25-0, 50
g once, on drinking 2-3 times, taking the form of drug powder (star Jasmine, kibble, Sieve flour
smooth), pill, drug or alcohol.
In addition a number of studies also showed polyscias fruticosa is a sedative and
increases the effect of anti-malarial. Among the people there were also used to treat coughs,
polyscias roots through minor, milk and curing dysentery.
Or use leaves polyscias fruticosa gi ragged to fill wounds. Song notes distinguish small
leaf or tree crops polyscias fruticosa gi c above with some trees similar: polyscias fruticosa
leaves rounded, polyscias fruticosa bloom ... tonic effects, not appointed.
Polyscias fruticosa (L.) Harm (Family: Araliaceae) is possibly native to Malaysia, but now
widely cultivated in
tropical areas and as a greenhouse plant. In Fiji, the root is used as a diuretic. The juice from
the bark is taken for thrush and an ulcerated tongue or throat. A poultice made from the bark is
used on syphilitic sores. The present study was undertaken to investigate diuretic effect of
petroleum ether extract of the Polyscias fruticosa (L.) Harm (PEPF) in albino rats. Acute oral
toxicity study was performed as per OECD guidelines. In acute oral toxicity study, mortality was
not observed up to 2000 mg/kg bodyweight. PEPF were administered at the doses of 250 and
500 mg/kg, p.o. Furosemide (500 mg/kg, p.o) was used as positive control in study. The diuretic
effect of the extract was evaluated by measuring urine volume, sodium and potassium content.
Urine volume is significantly increased at two doses of PEPF 250 & 500 mg/kg body wt in
treated rats. The excretion of sodium, Potassium levels was also increased by the PEPF. The
diuretic effect of the extract was similar to furosemide. The PEPF had the additional advantage
of chloride conserving effect. This study concludes that PEPF produced notable diuretic effect
which appeared to be comparable to that produced by the standard diuretic furosemide. The
present study provides a quantitative basis for explaining the folkloric use of Polyscias fruticosa
(L.) Harm as a diuretic agent.
The Leaf Volatile Oil of
Oliveros-Belardo, Luz et al
The study was conducted to identify the components of the volatile oil of the leaves of
N. frticosum, particularly sesquiterpenes for which the oil gave a remarkably positive test.
Hydrosteam distillation of the fresh leaves of N.fruticosum gave a 0.32% yield of volatile oil. The
oil was light yellow in color with a grassy note scent. Its refractive index was 1.5001 at
25oC.Tests revealed that the oil is negative for the presence of sulfur and nitrogen but highly
positive for the presence of sesquiterpene. Gas liquid chromatography coupled with mass
spectroscopy analysis of the oil showed the presence of -bergamotene, oxygenated
sesquiterpene C15H16O2 1-ethyl-1-methyl-1-2-(1-methyl1-ethenyl)-4-(1-methylethylidene)cyclohexane, -elemene, -bourbonene, -cubebene, -bisabolene, -farnesene, -elemene,
-elemene, -cadinene, -elemene, -copaene. Further toxicity tests were recommended in
order to determine its feasibility as a legitimate spray pesticide for house insect pests
METHODOLOGY
Block Diagram
Gathering of Leaf
Source
(Papua Tree)
Mayers Reagent
Molischs Reagent
Acetic Acid
Ferric Chloride
Distilled Water
Ferric Chloride Solution
Sodium Hydroxide
Solution
Nitric Acid
Preparation of
Pure Extract
I.
Phytochemical Profiling
A. Materials
Papua Plant Leaves
Distilled Water
Scissors
Domestic Blender
Cheese Cloth
Beaker
Medicine Dropper
B. Procedure
Test Tubes
Graduated Cylinder
Petri dishes
Mercuric Chloride
Potassium Iodide
Naphthol
Ethanol
Acetic Acid
Ferric Chloride
Sodium Hydroxide
Nitric Acid
Hydrochloric Acid
/
Chemicals Needed
Alkaloid
Mayers Reagent
Carbohydrates
Molischs Reagent
Acetic Acid + Ferric
ethanol.
Few drops of FeCl3 was mixed with 2.5 mL of
Chloride Mixture
CH3CO2H
Distilled Water
N/A
Glycosides
Saponins
Phenols
Distilled Water
Ferric Chloride
Ferric Chloride
N/A
Dissolve 13.5 g of FeCl3 in 10 mL water with 0.25
Tannins
Solution
Sodium Hydroxide
Anthocyanin
Solution
Protein
Nitric Acid
N/A
Sodium Hydroxide
Flavonoids
I.
Alkaloids
To test the presence of alkaloid, the Mayers reagent test was used. Mayers reagent
(see figure 12) was a mixture of mercuric chloride solution and potassium iodide solution. As
observed, no reaction had taken place.
II.
Carbohydrates
IV. Saponins
In testing for the presence of saponins, distilled water was added to a volume of the
extract. It was shaken for fifteen minutes. To conclude the strong presence of saponins, there
should be a formation of 1 cm layer of foam.
In Fig. 38, it could be seen that frothy bubbles or foam was formed until one centimeter
above the extract. Thus, saponins were present in the plant.
Saponins, like glycosides play a vital role in foaming industry. Since both glycosides and
saponins were present even glycosides were only detectable, succeeding researches could also
determine the feasibility of this bioactive constituent as a foaming agent.
V. Phenols
VI.Tannins
VII. Anthocyanin
VIII.
Protein
IX.Flavonoids
To test the presence of flavonoids, sodium hydroxide solution was used. The indicator of
the presence of flavonoids is the formation of intense yellow color.
The Papua Plant pure extract was originally green in color before NaOH solution was
added. When the solution was then put into the extract, there is color change that takes place,
as seen in Fig. 43. Thus, the phytochemical flavonoids was present in the extract of pure Papua
Plant Leaves.
Like alkaloids, flavonoids were important to antimicrobial properties.
Phytochemical
Alkaloids
Carbohydrates
No Reaction.
+brownish Molischs reagent
*
+
Glycosides
Saponins
+++
Phenols
Tannins
Anthocyanin
area
+colorless Nitric acid
+++
Flavonoids
= intense yellow
+colorless sodium hydroxide solution
+++
= intense yellow
*Absent (-), Traced Amount (+), Present (++), Strongly Positive (+++)
Glycosides
Saponins
Phenols
-(negative)
+++ (strongly positive)
+ (traced amount)
Tannins
Anthocyanin
Protein
Flavonoids
-(negative)
+ (traced amount)
+++ (strongly present)
+++(strongly positive)
N/A
Foaming Agents
Laboratory Processes
Chemical Engineering Processes
Wood and Plastic Making
Tanning of Leather
pH Indicators
Chemical Processes in food Industry
Used in food industry (chocolate)
researchers to arise the idea of determining the phytochemical profile of Papua Plant (Polyscias
fruticosa) Leaves.
In this study, extracts of Papua Plant was obtained. The fresh leaves of this plant
were gathered from Bulualto, San Miguel, Bulacan. The leaves were air dried and
washed with distilled water. It was cut into pieces and turned into smaller pieces using
the domestic blender.
On the other hand, small pieces of Papua Plants leaves were manually extracted
using cheese cloth and later filtered using a filter paper for the phytochemical screening.
The extract was then screened for the presence of nine phytochemicals which were
alkaloids, carbohydrates, glycosides, saponins, phenols, tannins, anthocyanin, protein
and flavonoids. The phytochemical profiling was conducted to determine the presence of
the nine mentioned phytochemicals based on color changes after reactions took place.
Reagents were prepared for the phytochemical screening. The types of observation of
presence of these bioactive components were divided into four degrees. These are
negative (-); traced amount (+); present (++); and strongly positive (+++).
The result revealed the abundance of flavonoids, saponins and proteins. There
were traced amounts of carbohydrates, alkaloids, phenols and anthocyanin. However,
glycosides and tannins were absent in the plant extract.
Based on the results of the phytochemical screening, properties and uses of
Papua Plant extract could be predetermined. Phytochemicals have been proven to have
significant relation to different biological activities and several processes in chemistry
and industry.
As a summary, conclusions could be enumerated as follows:
1. The phytochemistry of Papua Plant (Polyscias fruticosa) includes flavonoids, saponins
and proteins (strongly positive). There were traced amounts of carbohydrates, alkaloids,
phenols and anthocyanin. No traces of tannins and glycosides.
2. In industry, abundance of saponins indicated the potential of the plant to serve as
foaming agents. Traced amount of phenols also suggested possible usage of Papua
Plant in wood and plastic production, as well as other chemical processes. Traced
amount of carbohydrates may be a paradigm for making bioplastic using Papua Plant.
Based on the findings of this investigation, it is hereby recommended that:
1. The quantitative analysis of the nine phytochemicals tested qualitatively in this study
should be conducted to test exact amounts of the phytochemical components in the
plant.
2. The presence of other phytochemicals such as lectins, steroids, terpenoids, etc
must also be determined through phytochemical screening or other more
sophisticated analysis.
3. The usage of other extracting media must be considered to determine if there are
other solvents that are more compatible with Papua Plant.
4. Possible uses of Papua Plant in chemical industry should be investigated.
5. Phytochemistry of other plants, maybe of the same genus or family as that of the
Papua Plant should also be analyzed.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Related Studies
On The Antipyretic, Anti-Inflammatory, Analgesic and Molluscicidal Properties Of
Polyscias Fruticosa (L) Harms
Bensita Mary Bernard, Nilani Pakianathan, and Madhu C. Divakar
A Pharmacognostic Report on the Leaf and Root of Polyscias Fruticosa (L.) Harms
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A
Structural features and activities of various phytochemicals from plants
Phytochemical
s
Phenols and
Polyphenols
Quinones
Structural features
Example(s)
Activities
C3 side chain, - OH
groups, phenol ring
Catechol, Epicatechin,
Cinnamic acid
Antimicrobial,
Anthelmintic,
Antidiarrhoeal
Hypericin
Antimicrobial
Abyssinone
Chrysin, Quercetin,
Rutin
Totarol
Antimicrobial
Antidiarrhoeal
Antimicrobial,
Anthelmintic,
Antidiarrhoeal
Antimicrobial
Flavones
Flavonoids
Flavonols
Tannins
Polymeric phenols
(Mol. Wt. 500-3000)
Ellagitannin
Coumarins
Warfarin
Terpenoids and
essential oils
Capsaicin
Antimicrobial
Antidiarrhoeal
Alkaloids
Heterocyclic nitrogen
compounds
Berberine, Piperine,
Palmatine,
Tetrahydropalmatine
Antimicrobial,
Anthelmintic,
Antidiarrhoeal
Lectins and
Polypeptides
Proteins
, Mannose-specific
agglutinin
Sugar + non
carbohydrate moiety
Amphipathic glycosides
Fabatin
Antimicrobial
Amygdalin
Antidiarrhoeal
Vina-ginsenosides-R5
and -R6
Antidiarrhoeal
Glycosides
Saponins
APPENDIX B
Mechanism of action of some phytochemicals
Phytochemicals
Quinones
Activity
Antimicrobial
Mechanism of action
Binds to adhesins, complex with cell wall,
inactivates enzymes
Flavonoids
Antimicrobial
Antidiarrhoeal
Polyphenols and
Antimicrobial
Tannins
Antidiarrhoeal
Anthelmintic
Coumarins
Terpenoids and
Antiviral Interaction
Antimicrobial
metabolism
with eucaryotic DNA
Membrane disruption
essential oils
Antidiarrhoeal
Alkaloids
Antimicrobial
Antidiarrhoeal
Anthelmintic
Lectins and
Polypeptides
Glycosides
Saponins
Steroids
Antiviral
paralysis
Blocks viral fusion or adsorption, forms disulfide
Antidiarrhoeal
Antidiarrhoeal
bridges
Inhibits release of autocoids and prostaglandins
Inhibits histamine release in vitro
Anticancer
Anthelmintic
Antidiarrhoeal
teguments
Enhance intestinal absorption of Na+and water