Abstract

COMPARATIVE PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF THE FRUITS OF CUCUMIS TRIGONUS ROXB. AND CUCUMIS SATIVUS LINN.

*Subarayan Bothi Gopalakrishnan, Thangaraj Kalaiarasi

ABSTRACT

The fruits of Cucumis trigonus Roxb. and Cucumis sativus Linn. were investigated for its phytochemical constituents, quantitative estimation of secondary metabolites and elements. The various extracts (Petroleum ether, Benzene, Chloroform, Ethanol and Water) of the fruits of Cucumis trigonus and Cucumis sativus were subjected to qualitative phythochemical screening and thin layer chromatography and the constituents present in them were compared. Quantitative estimation of the secondary metabolites and elements were determined by standard procedures. TLC results revealed that in both the plants, ethanol extracts have more number of phytochemical constituents than that of the other extracts. The mineral composition indicated high concentrations of calcium and iron in both the medicinal plants. The results indicated the presence of medicinally important bioactive constituents. Also the minerals present in the plant extracts were within the permissible limits.

Keywords: Cucumis trigonus Roxb, Cucumis sativus Linn, Phytochemical analysis, Secondary metabolites, Elements, Thin layer chromatography.