Qualitative and quantitative analysis of phytochemical constituents in Clitoria ternatea L.

Abstract

Clitoria ternatea, commonly known as butterfly pea, family Fabaceae, is a medicinal plant possessing many bioactive phytochemical compounds that can be effectively used for the treatment of various human diseases. The present study involves the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the various phytochemicals from ethanol extract of root, leaves, flower and seeds of the blue genotype of Clitoria ternatea The qualitative test of phytochemical constituents revealed that the flowers of Clitoria ternatea contain amino acids, alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, terpenoids and quinone in higher amount in comparison to root, seed and leaves whereas seeds have more contents of carbohydrates, protein and amino acids, tannins, terpenoids and sterol. Saponin, oxalates and resins are absent in roots, leaves and seeds. The quantitative observation showed that the total carbohydrate was found maximum in leaves i.e. (89±0.23 Glc mg/gFwt) compared to root, seed and flower. However, the total phenols, flavonoids, tannins and anthocyanin pigments were found maximum in flowers i.e. (93±0.95 mgGAE/g Fwt), (469±0.61 Catechine mg/g Fwt), (72±0.10 TAEmg/g Fwt) and (178±0.37 CGE/g Fwt) respectively in comparison to seeds, leaves and roots. These results showed that the flowers and leaves had higher quantity of carbohydrates, phenols, flavonoid, tannins and anthocyanins. Hence, the present study is an effort to explore the bioactive natural substances from root, flowers, seeds and leaves of Clitoria ternatea, that can be used in pharmaceutical industry as a source of therapeutic agent for launching new natural herbal medicine.