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Characterization of Methanolic Extracts of Agarwood Leaves
Characterization of Methanolic Extracts of Agarwood Leaves
78
Research Article
Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, College of Applied and Industrial Sciences, University of Bahri, Sudan
2
School of Chemical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Penang- Malaysia
*3Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Al-Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, P.O. Box : 5701, Riyadh, KSA
4
I. INTRODUCTION
Journal of Applied and Industrial Sciences, 2013, 1 (3): 78-88, ISSN: 2328-4595 (PRINT), ISSN: 2328-4609 (ONLINE)
different phytochemicals along with GC-MS and FTIR
investigations of methanol soluble crude extracts obtained
from before and after inoculation leaves of Aquilaria
Malaccensis (Agarwood).
II. MATERIALS AND METHODS
Collection of the Plant Materials
Two types of fresh leaves of agarwood were collected from
(Main land-Penang, Malaysia). One was before the inoculation
process (MOB) and the other type was after the inoculation
process (MOA). Both new and old growth leaves were
avoided, damaged and diseased ones were excluded, only
recently matured leaves were taken.
Preparation of the Plant Materials
The leaves were dried in the shade for 7 days at room
temperature (28 2C) and ground to a fine powder using
Grinder IKA-WERKE, IKA MF10 Machine and sieved
through a 0.25 m mesh. The powder samples were kept at
room temperature in a covered glass containers to protect them
from humidity and light prior to extraction.
Extraction of Agarwood Leaves Extracts
250g dried powder leaves of each A. Malaccensis (Agarwood)
type
(before and after inoculation) were exhaustively
extracted by macerated in 1.5 L methanol solvent for 2 days at
room temperature (282C). The solvent-containing extract
was then decanted and filtered by vacuum filtration (GAST,
DOA-P504-BN, USA). The extraction of the ground leaves
were further repeated (twice) with methanol (1 L each time).
The filtrate from each extraction was combined and the excess
solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure at 40C using a
rotary
evaporator
(Heidolph-instruments,
Rotavapor,
Germany) to give concentrated crude methanolic extracts,
dried in oven at 50C to give dark green extracts. The weights
of all the extracts were measured after solvent evaporation and
then kept into a glass container prior to use.
The above mentioned processes were done for each type of
leaves separately.
Preliminary Phytochemical Analysis of the Agarwood
Methanolic Crude Extracts
Extracts were tested for the presence of active principles such
as alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, terpenoids and
tannins. Following standard procedures were used Alkaloids
Determination
The presence of alkaloid was determined using the Mayer and
Dragendorff tests as described by [9 and 10]. 0.2 g of each
extract of the sample were put into a conical flask, 20 ml of
dilute sulphuric acid in methanol were added and then heated
in water bath to boil for 5 min. The mixture was filtered
(vacuum pump) and the filtrates were separated and treated
with 2 drops of Mayer`s (Potassium mercuric iodide solution)
and Dragendorffs (Potassium bismuth iodide solution)
reagents in test-tubes. Development of creamy and an orange
color respectively indicated positive result.
Flavonoids Determination
i. Ammonium Test: The presence of flavonoids in the samples
was determined using the Harbone and Sofowora methods [9
and 11]. 10 ml of ethyl acetate was added to 0.2 g of the
extract and heated in a water bath for 5 min. The mixture was
cooled filtered and the filtrates used for the test.
About 4 ml of filtrate was shaken with 1 ml of dilute ammonia
solution. The layers were allowed to separate and the yellow
color in the ammonical layer (bottom layer) indicates the
presence of flavonoids.
ii. Shinoda Test: Small pieces of Magnesium ribbon followed
by few drops of concentrated hydrochloric acid were added to
a small amount of methanolic extract of the plant material.
Immediate development of a pink scarlet or crimson red color
was taken as an indication of the presence of flavonoids [9 and
10].
Saponins Determination
The froth test and emulsion test as described by Harbone 2001
were used to determine the presence of saponins. 20 ml of
water was added to 0.25 g of the extract in 100 ml beaker and
boiled, filtered and then the filtrates used for the tests:
i. Froth Test: 5 ml of the filtrate was diluted with 20 ml of
water and shaken vigorously. A stable froth (foam) up on
standing indicates the presence of saponins [11]
ii. Emulsion Test: 2 drops of olive oil was added to the
frothing solution and shaken vigorously the formation of
emulsion indicates the presences of saponins.
Steroids / Terpenoids Determination
i. Liebermann-Burchardt test: 1 ml of methanolic extract of
each sample is boiled with 23 ml of acetic anhydride, and
then cooled; 1 to 2 drops of concentrated sulfuric acid were
added slowly through the wall of the tube. Dark green
coloration of the solution indicates the presence of Steroids
and dark pink or red coloration in the interface indicate the
presence of Terpenoids.
ii. Salkowski test: 1 ml of methanolic extract of each sample is
boiled with 2 ml chloroform, cooled, 1 to 2 drops of
concentrated sulfuric acid were added slowly through the wall
of the tube. Shake well and allow standing for some time, red
color appears at the lower layer indicates the presence of
Steroids and formation of yellow colored lower layer indicates
the presence of triterpenoids.
Tannins Determination
i. Ferric chloride test: About 0.5 g of the methanolic extract
was dissolved in 5 to 10 ml of distilled water and filtered. A
few drops of a 10% ferric chloride solution were added to the
filtrate. A greenish black colour or a precipitate was taken as
an indication of the presence of tannins [9 and 10].
ii. Alkaline reagent test: Test solution with sodium hydroxide
solution gives yellow to red precipitate within short time.
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Journal of Applied and Industrial Sciences, 2013, 1 (3): 78-88, ISSN: 2328-4595 (PRINT), ISSN: 2328-4609 (ONLINE)
MOB extract
MOA extract
52.12
Dark green
Leafy smell but
sweet odor
Waxy thick
39.6
Dark green
Leafy smell but
sweet odor
Waxy thick
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Journal of Applied and Industrial Sciences, 2013, 1 (3): 78-88, ISSN: 2328-4595 (PRINT), ISSN: 2328-4609 (ONLINE)
epidemiological studies have strongly suggested that
consumption of certain plant materials rich in phenolic
compounds may reduce the risk of chronic diseases related to
oxidative stress on account of their antioxidant activity and
thus promote general health benefits. Therefore, the significant
antibacterial, anticandida and antioxidant activities of
Agarwood plant could be related to the presence of phenolic
compounds.
Catechin,
epigallocatechin
gallate,
epicatechingallate,
epigallocatechin and epicatechin that constitute Mangrove
tannins were investigated in an aerated HCl, the monomers
were found to be mainly cathodic inhibitors and the inhibition
efficiency was dependent on concentration.
Saponin has the property of precipitating and coagulating red
blood cells. Some of the characteristics of saponins include
formation of foams in aqueous solutions, hemolytic activity,
cholesterol binding properties and bitterness [22]. These
Table 2
Summary of the phytochemical screening of crude Methanolic Extracts of Agarwood leaves (before and after inoculation)
Extract
Before Inoculation
(MOB)
Test
Observation
Creamy ppt.
Alkaloids test
(Dragndorffs Reagent)
After Inoculation
(MOA)
Result
Observation
Result
Triterpenoid / Steroid
(Salkowski-Liberman)
Flavonoids test
(Harbone and Sofowora
methods)
-Ammonium test
Saponin test
(Froth test)
+T
Stable persistent
froth(thick layer)
Saponin test-Emulsion
test
Formation of emulsion
Formation of
emulsion
Greenish black
solution (ppt.)
+T
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Journal of Applied and Industrial Sciences, 2013, 1 (3): 78-88, ISSN: 2328-4595 (PRINT), ISSN: 2328-4609 (ONLINE)
Table 3
Summary of the phytochemical screening tests on Methanolic crude extracts of Agarwood leaves (Before and After inoculation)
Crude
Extract
Alkaloids
test
(Mayers
Reagent)
Alkaloids test
(Dragndorffs
Reagent)
Flavonoids
test
(Harbone
and
Sofowora
methods)
Triterpenoid /
Steroid
(SalkowskiLiberman)
Saponin
test
(Froth
test)
Saponin test
(Emulsion
test)
Tannin test
(Harbone,
Braemers
methods)
+T
++
++
+++
++
++
++T
++
MOB
MOA
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Journal of Applied and Industrial Sciences, 2013, 1 (3): 78-88, ISSN: 2328-4595 (PRINT), ISSN: 2328-4609 (ONLINE)
66.4
65
60
55
827
787
50
611
%T
45
1167
40
1377
1455
1280
2852
1076
35
1621
3388
2924
29.4
4000.0
3000
2000
1500
1000
500 370.0
cm-1
Fig. 1a: FTIR Spectrum for Agarwood methanolic extract before inoculation (MOB)
76.4
74
72
70
610
%T 68
66
1730
64
1708
2851
1290
14631380
3384
62
2923
1078
1618
60.1
4000.0
3000
2000
1500
1000
400.0
cm-1
Fig. 1b: FTIR Spectrum for Agarwood methanolic extract after inoculation (MOA)
The presence of atheroline alkaloids was supported by using
FTIR studies. It showed the presence of aromatic rings (C=C
stretching bands) between 1621 and 1624 cm-1 and the O-Me
group appeared from 1383 to 1075 cm-1. Moreover, a broad
band of the FTIR spectrum at around 3400 cm-1 showed the
presence of N-H groups.
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) Analysis
Fourteen different compounds were identified by GC-MS
analysis of the Agarwood leaves methanolic extracts.
Hexadecanoic acid was found to be one of the major
compounds in Agarwood leaves methanolic extracts. It was
eluted at the same retention time with large abundance.
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Journal of Applied and Industrial Sciences, 2013, 1 (3): 78-88, ISSN: 2328-4595 (PRINT), ISSN: 2328-4609 (ONLINE)
bacteria in underground pipes. So further study of
Hexadecanoic testing as anti corrosion in microbiological
corrosion is recommended.
The gas chromatograms of the methanolic extracts of A.
Malaccensis leaves are shown in Figures 3a and 3b while the
compounds and their corresponding mass spectra are shown in
Table 5 and 6, the retention times (Rt) were reported in
minutes. The major compounds identified in MOB extract
Table4
The summary of characteristic peaks bands on FTIR spectra for all the methanolic extracts
Wavenumber (cm-1)
Functional groups
(bands)
MOB extract
MOA extract
3388
3384
OH (stretch)
(b),(str)
(b),(str)
CH alkane stretching
2924(str)
2923(str)
C=O stretching
1709(m)
1708(str)
C=C aromatic
1621
1618
stretching
(b), (str)
(b), (str)
Asymmetric
1511(str)
1509(str)
RCOO- stretching
CC stretching
1455(str)
1463(str)
Aromatic hydroxyl
1377(str)
1380(str)
deformation
COC cyclic ether
1280(str)
1290(str)
Aromatic CO
1167(m)
1166(str)
stretching
Aliphatic CO/CN/P1076(str)
1078(str)
H stretching
(Note; (b): broad, (s): strong, (m): medium, (w): weak)
C=C
C-O
OH
Fig2: Fourier transform infrared spectrum. The black spectrum) methanolic extract corrosion inhibitor (MOB) (uninoculated
leaves); and the blue spectrum) methanolic extract corrosion inhibitor (MOA) (inoculated leaves);
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Journal of Applied and Industrial Sciences, 2013, 1 (3): 78-88, ISSN: 2328-4595 (PRINT), ISSN: 2328-4609 (ONLINE)
Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of
plant extracts led to the identification of 14 components from
the two types of Agarwood leaves extracts (Table 7). It is
interesting to see here that all identified compounds from plant
extracts contained oxygen and/or -electrons in their
molecules. Moreover, from the previous studies on the
phytochemical constituents of the plant extracts it was
established that the plant extracts used in this study also
contain a mixture of organic compounds containing O, N or electrons in their molecules. Hence, the corrosion inhibition of
carbon steel through these studied plants may be attributed to
the adsorption of the phytochemicals containing O, N or -
Fig. 3a: Gas chromatogram of the Methanolic extracts of Agarwood leaves before inoculation (MOB)
Fig. 3b: Gas chromatogram of the Methanolic extracts of Agarwood leaves after inoculation (MOA)
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Journal of Applied and Industrial Sciences, 2013, 1 (3): 78-88, ISSN: 2328-4595 (PRINT), ISSN: 2328-4609 (ONLINE)
Table5:
Results of the GC-MS analysis of Agarwood leaf extract (MOB)
Percent
No.
Rt(min)
of total
Compound
Structure
(%)
19.816
4.153
23.207
3.382
n-Hexadecanoic
acid, methyl ester
9,12,15octadecatrienoic
acid,(Z,Z,Z)-
2,3,Dihydro-3,53
14.632
Dihydroxy-6-
methyl-4H-pyran4-one
Table6:
Results of the GC-MS analysis of Agarwood leaf extract (MOA)
Percent
No.
Rt(min)
of total
Compound
(%)
n-Hexadecanoic
1
19.816
3.876
acid, methyl
ester
17.672
0.629
14.992
0.921
Phytol
1,2,3propanetriol
Structure
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Journal of Applied and Industrial Sciences, 2013, 1 (3): 78-88, ISSN: 2328-4595 (PRINT), ISSN: 2328-4609 (ONLINE)
Table 7:
Chemical components identified in Agarwood leaves methanolic extracts by GC-MS.
Molecular
No. Component
MOB
MOA
Formula
C5H10O4
C12H16O6
n-hexadecanoic acid
C16H32O2
Glycerine
C3H8O3
Squalene
C12H24O6
2-propanone,1,3 dihydroxy
C3H6O3
1,2,3-propanetriol, monoacetate
Phenyl--D-glucoside
3,7,11,15-Tetramethyl-2-Hexadecen7
C20H40O
1-ol (Phytol)
8
Dodecyl acrylate
C15H28O2
C6H8O4
C15H16O6
2,3-Dihydro-3,5-Dihydroxy-6-methyl9
4H-pyran-4-one
6-ethyl-5-hydroxy-2,3n,710
trimethoxynaphthoquinone
11
C18H30O2
12
Squalene
C30H50
13
C28H58O9
14
1-Tetradecanol
C14H30O
(+): present
(): absence
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Greatest thanks to Dr. Afidah Abdul Rahim- Universiti Sains
Malaysia (USM), School of Chemical Sciences, PenangMalaysia for providing the leaves of Aquilaria Malaccensis
87
Journal of Applied and Industrial Sciences, 2013, 1 (3): 78-88, ISSN: 2328-4595 (PRINT), ISSN: 2328-4609 (ONLINE)
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