Phytochemical Screening and TLC Profiling of Leaf Extracts of Catharanthus roseus Show Presence of Biopesticidal Secondary Metabolites

Abstract

The present study was aimed to evaluate the phytochemical constituents through biochemical tests as well as thin layer chromatography (TLC) of crude and acetone leaf extracts of Catharanthus roseus (Madagascar periwinkle), a medicinally important plant known for its alkaloids with anticancer properties. Crude and solvent (acetone) leaf extracts were prepared. Standard phytochemical screening procedures were employed to detect alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, anthraquinones, carbohydrates, and phenols. TLC profiling was carried out using suitable solvent systems and it showed different Rf values that were analyzed. The results obtained in the present investigation indicated the presence of alkaloids, tannins, phenols, saponins, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, anthraquinones and carbohydrates were present in both the extracts. Flavonoids were absent in crude extract but they were present in acetonic extract. TLC revealed distinct bands corresponding to secondary metabolites, confirming the chemical diversity of C. roseus. The findings support its traditional medicinal as well as biopesticidal applications and provide a baseline for further bioactivity-guided biopesticides development.