Qualitative, quantitative phytochemical screening and preliminary thin layer chromatograpic (tlc) studies of alkaloids of vitex. doniana root extract Ogbuanu C.C.1, Amujiogu S.N.1, Okoli, Chukwudi Kingsley2 1Department of Industrial Chemistry, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu Nigeria. P.M.B. 01660, Enugu, Nigeria 2Department of Applied Biochemistry, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, Nigeria Online published on 12 April, 2021. Abstract Vitex doniana (Uchakili) plant root in Oghe Community traditional medicine is of great value in the management of constipation and softening of the bowl. The present study is aimed at evaluating qualitatively and quantitatively some major phytochemicals using chemical analysis in the successive root extracts and TLC analysis of alkaloids using four different solvent system. The extracts revealed the presence of saponins, glycosides, tannins, volatile oils, resins, flavonoids and alkaloids. Results of quantitative analysis revealed the amount of alkaloids to be (3.4%), flavonoids (6.3%), phenol (0.28%), saponin (1.45%) and tannins (0.58%). Results showed that the alkaloids yields of the extract were 0.08% and 0.10% for morphine and non-morphine alkaloids respectively. There were four spots observed for both morphine and non-morphine alkaloids in three out of the four solvent system used and visualized with Draggendoff reagent respectively. The result shows that the solvent system methanol: ammonia (99:1) contain one alkaloid each for morphine and non-morphine alkaloids with RF values 0.62 and 0.82; while solvent systems methanol: ethyl acetate: ammonia (9.5:81:9.5) had one spot (RF values 0.91) for morphine alkaloids and two spots (RF values 0.62 and 0.92) for non-morphine alkaloids, and chloroform: methanol: ammonia ( 60:60:1) had two spots (RF values 0.63 and 0.79) for morphine alkaloids and one spot (RF values 0.82) for non-morphine alkaloids. Solvent system chloroform: ethanol (85:15) could not partition both the morphine and non-morphine alkaloids in V. doniana root extract. Top Keywords Phytochemicals, Qualitative, Quantitative, Chromatography, Alkaloids, Morphine and non-morphine. Top |