Browsing by Author "Ukachukwu, Veronica Ifeoma"

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    Isolation and characterization of active principle in leaves of abelmoschus esculentus (Okra) and carica papaya (Paw-Paw)
    (Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2016-09) Ukachukwu, Veronica Ifeoma
    This study was aimed at the isolation, purification and characterization of the bioactive compound present in the neutral metabolites of Abelmoschus esculentus (Okro) and Carica papaya (Paw paw) leaves. The study has adopted both chemical analysis and biological assay to achieve this objective. Samples of Abelmoschus esculentus and Carica papaya leaves were dried at room temperature, pulverized and separately extracted with 250ml of ethanol using the Soxhlet extractor. Each crude extract was analyzed for its photochemical composition and then fractionated into acidic, basic and neutral metabolites. Antimicrobial analysis carried out on the crude extract and various metabolites clearly indicated that both plants possessed pharmacological properties. The neutral metabolites of both plants were found to be the most active of all and were purified by column chromatography using silica gel. The different fractions obtained from Abelmoschus esculentus leaf extract were labeled FA1, FA2, FA3 and FA4 whereas the fractions from Carica papaya leaf were labeled FC1, FC2, FC3 and FC4. A second antimicrobial evaluation was carried out on the purified fractions and the fractions which possessed the best antimicrobial potential (Fraction FA2 from neutral metabolite of Okro leaf and FC3 from neutral metabolite of paw-paw leaf) were selected for spectroscopic identification and structural elucidation using IR and GC/MS spectroscopic methods of analysis. Data analysis revealed that the bioactive compound in neutral metabolite of Okro leaf was Methyl oleate while that found in the neutral metabolite of pawpaw leaf was bis heptenoyl phythalate.