Folia Medica 63(3): 422-428, doi: 10.3897/folmed.63.e55300
Steroid and fatty acid contents from the leaves of Carica papaya
expand article infoVishvraj V. Devmurari, Poojaben P. Patel, Rajeshreeba A. Jadeja, Cameykumari P. Bhadaniya, Priti P. Aghara, Anilkumar S. Patel, Satishkumar D. Tala, Mahesh M. Savant, Kartik D. Ladva§, Pankajkumar B. Nariya
‡ Atmiya University, Rajkot, India§ Shri M. & N. Virani Science College, Rajkot, India
Open Access
Abstract

Aim: To extract and identify the non-polar entities from the leaves of Carica papaya, a plant used for medicinal purpose as folk medicine.

Materials and methods: Petroleum ether extract of the Carica papaya leaves was used for this study. Saponification process and methylation process was performed to separate fatty acids and unsaponifiable matters. Phytochemical constituents were separated using chemical process and separated fractions were analyzed by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy (GC-MS).

Results: The chemical composition of the steroids, triterpenoids and fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) in leaves of Carica papaya, which were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). A total of 15 fatty acid components were identified in saponifiable matter, from unsaponifiable portion 2 steroids (campesterol, β- or γ-sitosterol), 1 triterpene (squalene), and 1 diterpene (phytol) were identified.

Conclusions: The results indicate that the extract is rich in non-polar compounds. In this study, GC-MS method is at the central focus for identification of these phytoconstituents. The current method can be used for direct analysis of non-polar entities of plant material.

Keywords
campesterol, Carica papaya, fatty acid methyl ester, GC-MS, steroid, squalene, phytol, β- or γ-sitosterol