Effect of Solvent Evaporation Methods on Biological Activity of Crude Extract of Feronia elephantum Correa Leaves

Abstract

In the present study, the effect on bioactivity of Feronia elephantum plant leaves was studies in three different methods of concentration, in order to decide the preferred method. The bioactivity of plant extract was calculated by brine shrimp lethality test (BSLT). Methanolic extract of Feronia elephantum Correa plant leaves was prepared by soxhlet extraction method and extract was concentrated/evaporated by three methods viz. vacuum evaporation (Rotatory vacuum evaporator) (A), room temperature evaporation (B) and hot air evaporation (C). The extract was tested for chemical constituents such as alkaloids, glycosides, carbohydrates, protein, fixed oils or fats, tannins, flavonoids, saponins and triterpenoids with standard tests. Physical properties like color, consistency, odor and nature were not varied. Percentage yields were 13.64, 16.8 and 8% in three different evaporation methods respectively. All the extracts were found positive only for glycosides and tannins in three different methods. The larvae of brine shrimp were hatched at 25ºC for 48 h in artificial sea water. The methanolic extract at the concentration of 250, 500 and 750 µg/ml was tested in comparison to negative and positive control of quantified numbers of larvae. Mortality was noted after 24 h post treatment. The LC50 was least (220.99 µg/ml) in method. A followed by method B (247.57 µg/ml) and highest in method C (430.09 µg/ml). Results indicated that vacuum evaporation (22 cycles at 25°C) is most superior to maintain bioactivity.

Keywords

• feronia elephantum
• brine shrimp lethality test
• plant biological activity