I have prepared methanic extract from defated leaf powder. I got a dark brown, sticky, semisolid extract. I want to to test which type of phytochemicals are present in this extract. What might be a chemical responsible for the stickiness?
Dear Bhavik , as per knowledge its not possible to identify any thing from Extracts stickiness, most of plant gives you stickiness so if plant is known and cross reference is their for extracts spot test then it may be possible but i had not seen particular reference for this type of property. if i got any thing then surely email you or post here
You must perform a protocol for compound characterization and identification in order for you to identify specific components. If you're material is sticky and resinous, it may contain waxes, saponins, terpenes, etc.
Mucillage or gums are most likely for the stickiness.! Yet, methanolic extract will have lots of other compounds too that are polar that needs to be identified
Most polar classes of secondary metabolites... Its difficult to know... depends of the specie, the family.... try to read more about the chemosystematics abouts your plant
Please refer what category of phytochemicals you want to study..also what is the name of the leaf and what are your expectations from it. then only specific protocols may be adopted.
Perform tests for the presence of various phytoconstituents in the extract because you will get the final picture only after qualitative chemical examination Test you extract for the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, phenolics, tannins, resins, saponins, gums and mucilages, carbohydrates, reducing sugars, proteins etc. Once you get the positive results for any compounds you can easily figure out the cause of stickiness of extract.
@Alok Nahata;
Yes sir,
actually I will go for preliminary evaluation. but I wanted to know if there is any correlation or can we predict class of phytoconstituents from physical nature of extract thats it.
Mostly gums, mucilages (polysaccharides) and resinous materials are responsible for stickiness.
The stickiness of your extract should not be ascribed to a particular or groups of phytochemicals. You need further characterization in order to identify the phytoconstituents present in your methanolic extract. Please, do not guess. Act like a scientist
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