QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF PHYTOCHEMICALS IN FIVE PTERIS SPECIES

Objectives: The objective of the present study was to find out the presence of phytochemicals in the methanol extracts of five ferns in Pteridaceae family such as Pteris argyreae T. Moore, Pteris confusa T.G. Walker, Pteris vittata L., Pteris biaurita L., and Pteris multiaurita Ag., by both qualitative and quantitative screening methods. Methods: In qualitative analysis, the phytochemical compounds such as steroids, reducing sugars, triterpenoids, sugars, alkaloids, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, anthroquinones and amino acids were screened in five ferns extracts by using standard methods. Results: The methanol extract of the fern Pteris biaurita showed positive results for 10 phytochemical tests. Pteris vittata extract exhibited positive results for 9 tests. In methanol extracts of the Pteris argyreae, Pteris confusa showed positive results for 7 tests and in the extract of Pteris multiaurita 5 phytochemical tests were positive. In quantitative analysis the important secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, saponins and tannins were tested in all the ferns extracts. The methanol extract of Pteris biaurita showed highest amount of phytochemicals when compared with other solvent extracts. Conclusions: More active compounds will be isolated from the selected ferns and they may be used for medicinal purposes in future.