Study of total phenol, flavonoid contents and phytochemical screening of methanolic crude extracts of two weed plants

Abstract

Weeds have been neglected and their use for medicinal purpose has not been considered on a large scale. Our current research was based on the phytochemical Screening of Ipomoea carnea and Alternanthera sessilis and to quantitatively evaluate their total phenolic and flavonoid content. Quantitative analysis of Phenols and Flavonoids was done by the Folin Ciocalteau and Aluminium chloride method respectively. Both weeds showed positive response for presence of secondary metabolites like flavonoids, phenols, tannins, terpenoids, proteins, carbohydrates, etc. which indicates that they can be used as herbal components. The total Phenol value of Ipomoea carnea and Alternanthera sessilis was 0.0526 and 0.0657 mg Gallic acid equivalent/g respectively. The flavonoid content value of Ipomoea carnea and Alternanthera sessilis was 0.09 and 0.2 mg quercetin equivalent (QE) /g respectively. Both the weeds showed presence of several phytochemicals and high Phenol and Flavonoid values. However, Alternanthera showed a higher concentration of Phenols and Flavonoids as compared to Ipomoea. Since both the selected weeds grow in many areas throughout the world, their medicinal properties can be exploited and used for several applications. With the continuous use of antibiotics, microorganisms have become resistant. There is a need to develop alternative antimicrobial drugs using weeds, which otherwise have not been exploited till now by humans.