Ismet Ara Jahan*
Chemical Research Division, BCSIR Laboratories, Dhaka, Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), Dr. Kudrat-i-Khuda Road, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1205, Bangladesh.
Proity Nayeeb Akbar
Chemical Research Division, BCSIR Laboratories, Dhaka, Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), Dr. Kudrat-i-Khuda Road, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1205, Bangladesh.
Mohammad Enayetullah
Department of Chemistry, Jagannath University, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh.
Nazir Ahmmad
Department of Chemistry, Jagannath University, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh.
Mohammad Nuruddin
Department of Chemistry, Jagannath University, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh.
Md Ranzu Ahmed
Department of Chemistry, Bangladesh University of Health Sciences, 125/1 Darussalam, Mirpur-1, Dhaka-1216, Bangladesh.
Kaiempferia rotunda; Cuscuta reflexa; Centella asiatica; Asparagus racemosus; GC-MS; AAS; Elemental analysis; Fat content.
Munshiganj, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Chemical Analysis
Medicinal Plants
2.1 Experimental Section All the chemicals and reagents used were purchased from BDH, E. Merck and were of analytical or laboratory grade.
2.2 Collection of Raw Materials The plants K. rotunda, C. reflexa, C. asiatica and A. racemosus were used for the investigation. The tubers of K. rotunda and the roots of A. racemosus were collected from Natore (Laxmipur, Kholabaria) in the Northern area of Bangladesh, while the plants C. reflexa and C. asiatica were brought in from Munshiganj, Dhaka, Bangladesh. All the plant materials were identified by an expert of the department of Botany, Haraganga University College, Munshiganj.
2.3 Preparation of Sample The plant materials (K. rotunda, C. reflexa, C. asiatica and A. racemosus) were freed from foreign materials by washing them under running tap water. In each case, the samples were first air dried, then shade dried and finally powdered before leaving them to dry in an electric oven at 40°C. The dried powdered samples were stored in an airtight container and left to stand in a cool place until further analysis.
2.4 Determination of Ash Content The method of Premnath et al. [19] was employed for the determination of ash content of the plants. Furnace PLC/MBC/W1/32 was used to find the ash value.
2.5 Elemental Analysis of Samples by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) The ashes collected from the plant samples were subjected to the elemental analysis using Flame Photometer and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). 2.5.1 Preparation of sample The samples (K. rotunda, C. reflexa, C. asiatica and A. racemosus) were prepared by adding 1:1 nitric acid to each of them at low flame to get rid of any carbonaceous matter present in the ash. Once they have cooled, 2-3 drops of concentrated nitric acid were added to completely dissolve the plant materials. The solutions were then leveled to the volume mark with distilled water and used as stock solutions for analysis of minerals by AAS. 2.5.2 Calculations A standard was used to plot a calibration curve for each of the elements. The curve for the experimental sample was determined with respect to this standard curve. A definite volume of the stock solution was passed through the AAS and a corresponding curve was observed. If the value of any of the minerals exceeded the standard curve, the stock solution was diluted by adding solvent to it and reused. Data collected from the AAS method were converted to obtain the percentage elemental contents in dry samples. The elemental contents were then calculated by using the following equation: Ppm (mg/kg) of elemental content = [Elemental content obtained (ppm)/Sample taken (g)] x 1000.
2.6 Fatty Acids Analysis by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) Fatty acids (FA) are nonvolatile polar compounds. The analyzed sample needs to be volatile for gas chromatographic technique [20]. Fatty esters were formed by methylation to convert the nonvolatile fatty acids into volatile fatty acids methyl esters or FAMEs. Fats were saponified and esterified in presence of boron trifluoride catalyst. For further analysis, GCMS method was applied.
2.7 Statistical Analysis Each experiment was performed in triplicate and results are expressed as mean ± standard deviation (n = 3).
European Journal of Medicinal Plants 10(4): 1-10, 2015, Article no.EJMP.20312 ISSN: 2231-0894, NLM ID: 101583475
Journal