Abstract

QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF PHYTOSTEROL AS CHEMOTAXONOMIC MARKERS AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF SOME CUCURBITACEAE SEEDS

Sheikh Farin, Anasane Pradnya* and Chaturvedi Alka

Abstract

Momordica charantia, Trichosanthus dioica, Coccina grandis, Lagenaria siceraria, Cucurbita maxima were evaluated for identification and separation of phytosterols using Thin Layer chromatography and Paired Affinity Index methods. The Solkowaski test and Liebermann Burchard’s Test were performed to identify the phytosterols while Paired Affinity Index was used to calculate and correlate the chemical affinities between all the selected texa. In study of TLC Benzene: ethyl acetate (5:1) solvent system showed violet blue colored bands (Rf 0.29) similar to reference standard β-sitosterol. It is a simple, precise method for identification and estimation of phytosterols in seeds. As phytosterols have other advantageous health benefit mainly reducing blood cholesterol in animal and human as well, these seeds of Cucurbitaceae containing plant sterols also shows Antioxidant activity.

Keywords: Phytosterols, Thin Layer chromatography, Paired Affinity Index, Antioxidant activity.