PHYTOCHEMICAL ASSESSMENT AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF AEGLE MARMELOS (L.) CORREA FRUIT FOUND IN KARACHI: A SYSTEMATIC EVALUATION OF SOLVENT-BASED EXTRACTS

Abstract

Background: Aegle marmelos (L.), Rutaceae  has been widely used in traditional medicines in South and Southeast Asian countries. Although it is documented for its ethnopharmacological relevance, comprehensive and standard documentation of its phytochemistry and physicochemical is still limited.

Objective: The aim of this study was to prepare and analyze the solvent-based extracts of powered fruit of A. marmelos by systematically determining the physicochemical parameters and conducting qualitative phytochemical screening in four different solvent systems;  aqueous, ethanolic, ethyl acetate and chloroform.

Method: The fruits evaluated in this study were purchased from the local market of Karachi, powder was prepared and analyzed using sequential extraction technique with ethanol (90%), water, ethyl acetate and chloroform. The physicochemical parameters such as pH, conductance, viscosity, total dissolved solids (TDS), density, loss on drying, extractive values, ash values  were determined using standard pharmacognostic techniques. Qualitative phytochemical screening was carried out with the help of validated  test for 17 classes of secondary metabolites.

Results: Organoleptic evaluation showed a bright yellowish-orange powder with bitter taste, latex like smell of moderately strong aroma and a gritty texture. The physicochemical analysis revealed that the pH of the sample was 4.62, the conductance value was 36.5 μS, the extractive value (alcohol soluble) was 71%, and the water soluble extractive value was 93%. Total ash was 3.92 ± 0.23%, with water-soluble ash (0.52 ± 0.12%) exceeding acid-insoluble ash (0.22 ± 0.14%). Loss on drying: 6.96%. Phytochemical screening indicated the difference in the distribution of bioactive constituents with aqueous and ethanolic extracts being rich in saponins, tannins, phenolic compounds, phytosterols, coumarins, steroids, glycosides, and fats oils, whereas the ethyl acetate and chloroform extracts mainly exhibited the presence of saponins, flavonoids, triterpenoids, and quinones. Only the ethanolic extract contained any alkaloids. All extracts were found to be free from cardiac glycosides, terpenoids and anthocyanins.

Conclusions: The A. marmelos fruit is a rich source of  various pharmacologically active secondary metabolites and their distribution is observed to be polarity dependent. The high water soluble extractive value and its high phenolic content justify further quantitative and bioactivity oriented investigations, which support its traditional therapeutic uses.