IDENTIFICATION OF AN ALKALOID MOMORDICIN FROM FRUITS OF MOMORDICA CHARANTIA L.

Momordica charantia commonly known as Bittergourd belongs to Cucurbitaceae family, widely used in treatment of different diseases. The fruits of Momordica charantia were extracted with methanol, ethanol, hexane and water.The present investigation was aimed at to study the presence of phytochemicals in fruits extracts of Momordica charantia. Phytochemical screening shows the presence of terpenoids,flavonoids,proteins,saponins,alkaloids,and carbohydrates. The structure of the active compound was determined by interpretation of the spectral data (FTIR and LC- MS) and its structure was elucidated as13-hydroxy-28-methoxy-urs-11-en-3-one which is known as momordicin.