Abstract

ISOLATION AND SEPARATION OF SOME IMPORTANT CAROTENOIDS FROM INDIAN SPINACH BASELLA ALBA

Syed Azhar Nizami*, Javeriya Anees, Qurath Ulain, Faiza Anjum, Shanaz Fathima and G. Priolkar Omkar Shrikant

ABSTRACT

Lutein and Zeaxanthin are pharmacologically important phytochemicals belonging to the class of carotenoids widely distributed in green vegetables. They are industrially important for its biological activities such as anti-oxidant, immune-stimulatory and macular protective properties. In this study isolation and separation of lutein and zeaxanthin from Indian spinach, Basella.alba was carried out. For the extraction of lutein and zeaxanthin, petroleum ether-acetone (1:1) was used the yield was found to be 67.12%. Separation was carried out by TLC using isopropyl alcohol as mobile phase. The Rf value of lutein was 0.23cm and with the Rf value for zeaxanthin was 0.21cm. The isolated compound was subjected to spectral analysis by UV-Visible spectroscopy. The results of spectral analysis for Lutein and Zeaxanthin revealed the peaks at 445.5 nm and 385.2nm respectively in nhexane. Results of the study indicated that B.alba leaves can be used as a source for obtaining lutein and zeaxanthin.

Keywords: Indian spinach, Lutein, Zeaxanthin, petroleum ether-acetone extract, TLC.