Isolation and identification of phytochemical constituents from the roots of Calliandra portoricensis

Calliandra portoricensis is a plant widely used in Nigerian ethnomedicine for the treatment of tuberculosis and other respiratory conditions. In view of its traditional use, the present study is aimed at the isolation and identification of bioactive components or secondary metabolites which may be responsible for its biological activity. The air dried roots was extracted with hexane, ethyl acetate and then methanol via maceration at roomtemperature. Repeated column chromatography of the ethyl acetate extract over silica gel yielded linalonic acid, spinasterone, lupeol, daucosterol and triacontanyl caffeate. The structures of these compounds were determined by NMR, mass spectrometry and comparison with literature. This is an initial report of these compounds from the plant material. Key words: Linalonic acid, Triacontanyl caffeate, Daucosterol, Spinasterone, Nigeria