PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND THIN LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY OF THE EXTRACTS OF EXCOECARIA AGALLOCHA L.

Purpose: The focus of the present paper was a preliminary phytochemical and TLC analysis of the various extracts (root, stem, and leaf) of the mangrove plant Excoecaria agallocha L. Methods: Phytochemical analysis was carried out using the standard phytochemical assays. TLC analysis of the petroleum ether and chloroform fraction of the leaves was carried out using the solvent system Toluene: Ethyl acetate (in 9:1 ratio) and Toluene: Ethyl acetate: Formic acid (in 5:5:0.2 ratio) for PE and chloroform fractions respectively. Result and Conclusion: The results of the preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of various chemical compounds like alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, carbohydrates, anthraquinone, tannins, phenols, terpenoids, fixed oil, and fats. The organoleptic study revealed the specific nature of the plant parts used in the study. The behavior of the powdered plant parts in the presence of various chemicals was studied. TLC analysis of the petroleum ether and chloroform fraction of the leaves of Excoecaria agallocha L. revealed bands indicating the presence of various compounds that could act as potential antimicrobial agents.