Isolation, Characterization and Structural Elucidation of a Bioactive Flavonoid from Schinus polygama Leaves Using Chromatographic and Spectroscopic Techniques

Aim

Isolation, Characterization and Structural Elucidation of a Bioactive Flavonoid from Schinus polygama Leaves Using Chromatographic and Spectroscopic Techniques is the aim of present study. The process of separating and characterizing bioactive substances from natural sources are pivotal in understanding their therapeutic potential.

Materials and Methods

In the present study, Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC) with optimized solvent system used. Further this solvent system was employed in column chromatography to isolate active fractions. Active fraction characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, FT-IR analysis, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and mass spectroscopy.

Results

Schinus polygama (SP) (family Anacardiaceae) extract was subjected to Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC) using various solvent systems, with the optimized system of Acetic Acid: Ethyl acetate: Toluene (0.4:4:6) yielding a distinct band with 0.64 Rf value, corresponding to a standard flavonoid. This solvent system was employed in column chromatography, leading to the separation of multiple fractions, including the active Fraction (F). UV-visible spectroscopy of Fraction (F) showed absorption peaks at 208, 269 and 365 nm, indicating conjugated π-electron systems. The presence of distinctive functional groups was further verified by FT-IR analysis., including hydroxyl (-OH), alkyl (C-H) and aromatic (C=C) bonds. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectra revealed specific proton signals consistent with a flavonoid structure, while mass spectrometry identified a molecular ion peak which corresponds to 3,5,7-trihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl) chromen-4-one at m/z 286.20 with a molecular formula of C₁₅H₁₀O₆.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that the isolated compound from Schinus polygama leaves ethanolic extract is a flavonoid with potential biological activities. Further studies are recommended to explore its pharmacological properties and potential applications in therapeutic formulations