Phytochemical Constituents of Kalunay Leaves and Roots (Amaranthusspinosus L.)

Abstract

Investigation ofthe phytochemical constituents of both the leaves and roots of the Kalunay (Amaranthus spinosus L.) was carriedout using various solvents of ethyl acetate, ethanol, water and reagents. The qualitative tests of both the leaves and roots manifested the presence ofalkaloids, and saponins. Alkaloids indicated yellowish precipitates while saponins showed a formation of more than 1.2 cm of "honeycomb froth". It was noted, however, that only fresh concentrated root extract manifested the presence of glycosides. All the other tests onfats and oils, flavanoids, triterpenes, sterols, leucoanthocyanins as well as resins showed negative results. In the concentrated root extract of Kalunay, a formation of brick red precipitate in the hydrolyzed sample was noted; thus, it showed the presence of glycosides. The plant materials (leaves and roots) were collected in the wasteland of Don Alejandro Quirolgico (Lusong West), Caoayan, Ilocos Sur. Different qualitative test namely filter paper test (for fats and oils), Wagner's Test (alkaloids), Fehling's Test (glycosides), Bate-Smith & MetcalfTest (flavanoids and leucoanthocyanins), Froth Test (saponins), Liebermann-Burchard Test (sterols and triterpenes) and Phloroglucinol Test (resins) were used. There was an interesting result of the presence of glycosides in the root extract ofthe kalunay plant while it was negative in the leafextract. It is therefore, recommended that other substances in both the leaves and roots of the plant be analyzed. The sensitivity of bacterial and fungal strains to the plant materials be tested; and the pharmacological assay of the plant should be done.