Phytochemical Screening of Putat Air [Barringtonia racemosa (L.)] Spreng Herbal Plants Found in Bireun, Aceh, Indonesia

Abstract

Indonesia has a variety of medicinal plants. This medicinal plant has been widely used by the public in an effort to overcome health problems such as wound healing amid advances in science and technology. The discovery of various new medicinal compounds from natural materials further clarifies the important role of secondary metabolites of plants as medicinal raw materials. A natural ingredient that can be used as an alternative biological therapy for wound management is the putat air [Barringtonia racemosa (L.) Spreng.]. This plant is found in Gampong Pulo village, District of Peudada Bireun Regency, Aceh Province, Indonesia. B. racemosa is a type of local mangrove plant known as putat air. It grows wild along the banks of rivers, lakes and rice fields. Phytochemical screening results with Shinoda test of B. racemosa seeds in ethanol extract, ethyl acetate fraction and water containing flavonoids. Molisch test on ethanol extract, fraction of ethyl acetate and water containing glycosides. Foam test on ethanol extract, hexan fraction, ethyl acetate fraction and water fraction detected saponins. Using iron reaxation (III) chloride on ethanol extract and water fraction contains tannins Liebermann-Burchard test on fraction n – hexants containing steroids and triterpenoids. As the conclusion, B. racemosa seeds contain many secondary metabolites that can be used by the public as an alternative treatment of the disease.