BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF SECONDARY METABOLITES IN SELECTED MEDICINAL PLANTS

Abstract

The study includes a complete biochemical analysis of the secondary metabolites present in three essential medicinal plants which possess potential health benefits. The scientists used the combination testing method which included High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Photodiode Array detection and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry to measure the primary active compounds present in the plant materials. The chromatographic analysis detected triterpenoid compounds at significant levels which included Azadirachtin that existed in Azadirachta indica at 0.82% w/w and the steroidal lactone Withaferin A which appeared in Withania somnifera at 1.45%. The Ocimum sanctum plant has a high phenolic content which includes eugenol as an aromatic component that constituted 3.12% (w/w) of the analyzed extract. The research shows that the studied species produce multiple secondary metabolites which possess unique chemical characteristics that enhance their medicinal properties. The researchers studied which plants generate terpenoids and phenolic compounds through the Mevalonate and Shikimic acid biosynthesis pathways. The research shows that plants produce specific metabolites which show different distribution patterns in their leaf and root systems. The research establishes specific indicators which use defined retention times and mass-to-charge ratios as standardized testing methods for pharmaceutical quality control and development of reliable plant-based medical products.