Phytochemical Screening and Thin Layer Chromatography of Citrus reticulata Peel Extract

Abstract

Citrus reticulata also known as mandarin and belongs to Rutaceae family. The peel of Citrus reticulata contains various bioactive compounds. The objective of this study was to investigate the bioavailability of these compounds in the crude and Petroleum ether extract by performing biochemical tests and thin layer chromatography. To determine whether specific bioactive compound were present or absent in crude and solvent extraction, a phytochemical analysis was performed. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of reducing sugar, flavonoids, terpenoids, tannin, saponin, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides and absence of anthraquinones in crude extract while in petroleum ether extract showed the presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides and absence of anthraquinone, tannin and reducing sugar. Monoterpenoid and saponin show repellent activity against insect while alkaloids show insecticidal property. The thin layer chromatography performed in 5 different solvent systems such as1).n-butanol: acetic acid: water (4:1:5), 2).chloroform: ethyl acetate: methanol: water (15:8:4:1), 3). Hexane: ethylacetate (8:2), 4).chloroform: methanol (15:1) and 5). Hexane (100%). TLC plates were analysed in visible, short UV and long UV light. Obtained values of Rf were analysed and bioactive phytochemicals were identified as essential oil, saponins, terpenoids, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides and alkaloids. These findings support the presence of insecticidal bioactive secondary metabolites in orange peel extracts.