Phytochemical screening can be done using different solvents to identify the major groups such as tannins, saponins, flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids, alkaloids, glycosides, cardiac glycosides, coumarins and steroids. General reactions in these analyses revealed the presence or absence of these compounds in the tested compound.
1. For tannin identification, 1 mL of the extract, one mL of ferric chloride (5% FeCl3) was added. Formation of dark blue or greenish black indicates the presence of tannins.
2. For Saponins identification, 2mL extract, 2mL of distilled water was added and shaken in graduated cylinder for 15 min lengthwise. Formation of 1cm layer of foam indicates the presence of saponins
3.For Quinone identification, 1mL extract, 1mL of concentrated sulphuric acid (H2SO4) was added. Formation of red colour indicates the presence of Quinones
4. For flavonoid identification, 2mL of extract, 1mL of 2N sodium hydroxide (NaOH) was added. Formation of yellow colour indicates the presence of flavonoids.
5. For Alkaloid identification, 2mL extract, 2mL of concentrated Hydrochloric acid (HCl) was added. Then few drops Mayer’s reagent was added. Presence of green colour or white precipitate indicates the presence of alkaloids.
6.For Glycosides 2mL of the extract, 3mL of chloroform and 10% ammonium solution was added. Formation of pink colour indicates the presence of glycosides.
7. For Cardiac glycosides identification, 0.5 mL of the extract, 2 mL of glacial acetic acid and few drops of 5 % ferric chloride were added. This was under layered with 1 mL of concentrated sulphuric acid. Formation of brown ring at interface indicates the presence of cardiac glycosides.
8. For Terpenoids identification, 0.5 ml L of the extract, 2 mL of chloroform along with concentrated Sulphuric acid. Formation of reddish brown colour at the interface indicates the presence of Terpenoids.
9. For phenol identification, 1mL of the extract, 2mL of distilled water followed by few drops of 10 % ferric chloride was added. Formation of blue / green colour indicates the presence of phenols
10. For steroid identification, 0.5 mL of the extract, 2 mL of chloroform and 1 mL of Sulphuric acid (H2 SO4) were added. Formation of reddish brown ring at interface indicates the presence of steroids.
11. For coumarins identification, 1 mL of extract, 1 mL of 10 % NaOH was added. Formation of yellow colour indicates the presence of coumarins.
12.For Anthocyanin and Beta cyanin, 2mL of the extract, one mL of 2N sodium hydroxide (NaOH) was added and heated for 5 min at 100 °C. Formation of bluish green colour indicates the presence of anthocyanin and formation of yellow colour indicates the presence of betacyanin.