Comparative studies of functional groups present in invasive and economically important plant leaf methanolic extracts by using FTIR spectroscopic analysis

Abstract

Low molecular weight substances known as secondary metabolites (SM) are essential for plants’ interaction with their surroundings but are not necessary for plants to survive. Plants extracts have traditional uses against many pathogens. These substances frequently play a role in plants' defense against biotic (bacteria, fungi, nematodes, insects, or animal grazing) or abiotic (increased temperature and moisture, shade, damage, or heavy metal presence) stresses. The FTIR approach was applied with an FTIR spectroscopy instrument, which is used to identify functional groups and characteristic peak values of phytoconstituents. The chemical properties of these plants can be used to understand their therapeutic potential, which could be a creative way to develop affordable, safe, and effective herbal remedies to treat a variety of ailments. The current study focuses on functional group screening using FTIR. The analysis found that the extract has various typical peak values associated with various functional Groups like alcohol, phenol, alkanes, amino acids, aldehyde, aromatic compound, secondary alcohol, phenol, and carboxylic acids. When compared to the leaf extracts of Callistemon subulatus, Centella asiatica, Catharanthus roseus, Moringa oleifera, and Carica papaya, the leaf extracts of Catharanthu roses, Centella asiatica had the highest number of functional groups. This functional group could positively act as modulating metabolic processes and may act as receptor and enzyme inhibitors.