initial characterization of crude extracts from phyllanthus amarus

The Rf-value for fractions 2-6 and 8-10 in both samples (crude and powder
extracts) are approximately equal; this indicates that these fractions are the same.
Fraction 7 did not show up in the crude extract spotted on this plate (Figure 4.2 and Table
4.10), but it was visible on the plate in Figure C.11 (Table D.4, fraction 5).
Table 4.10 Rf-values of fractions in crude and powder extracts from Q. amara
eluted by CHCl3/MeOH= 95:5 and detected by UV-254 nm and PMA
reagent
Fraction
Extraction
Rf-value Bq
Crude
Rf-value B2
Powder
4.2 Discussion
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
0.08 0.12 0.16 0.20 0.27 0.36 0 0.46 0.51 0.63 0
0 0.13 0.18 0.21 0.27 0.36 0.40 0.45 0.52 0.64 0.90
Extraction Solvents
Although the same extraction ratio (1:10, w/v) was used for both plant species,
the extracts of P. amarus turned out to be more concentrated than those of Q. amara. P.
amarus extracts may have been more concentrated than Q. amara extracts because the
particle size of the former was smaller (Φ2 mm) than the latter (Φ6 mm). Therefore, the
reaction (contact) surface area between plant particle and extraction solvent was bigger in
the case of P. amarus, resulting in more concentrated samples for P. amarus.
Extraction solvent A (50% methanol in water; is not “weak” (too polar) enough to
be used with the stationary phase silica gel. A maximum of only one fraction/compound
of P. amarus extract and three fractions/compounds of Q. amara became visible with
four detection methods. This does not mean that extract A produces only one (P. amarus)
40