Phytochemical screening of hydroethanolic Murraya koenigii Spreng leaves extract by spectroscopic methods

Abstract

Abstract BACKGROUND: Murraya koenigii (MK) L. Spreng is indigenous to India, Sri Lanka, and other South Asian nations. It is a renowned culinary spice in several Asian cuisines and is commonly used in the Indian cookery system due to its characteristic aroma and flavor. Despite its traditional usage, there is a scarcity of scientific research conferring the therapeutic effects of curry trees. We believe that MK has a plethora of active phytochemicals, which could be utilized in the drug discovery and drug development industry to tackle several diseases. Thus, the present study was conducted to investigate various phytochemicals and essential oils present in hydroethanolic Murraya koenigii leaves extract (HEMKLE) by spectroscopic analyses. METHODS: Spectroscopic screening of HEMKLE was performed by energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (LC-MS), and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) techniques. RESULTS: EDX spectroscopy revealed the presence of trace elements viz., carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, copper, iron, tin, and sulfur in HEMKLE. the FTIR spectrum revealed the presence of functional groups corresponding to alkaloids, phenols, amino acids, carboxylic acids, aliphatic amines, and alkyl halides within MK extract. Furthermore, LC-MS exposed the presence of polyphenols and carbazole alkaloids within HEMKLE. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of volatile compounds within HEMKLE. CONCLUSION: The presence of polyphenols, carbazole alkaloids, terpenoids, and volatile organic compounds within HEMKLE could be bestowing several pharmacological properties to HEMKLE, which could be utilized from drug development in the pharmaceutical industry for future use.