Identification of phytochemical compounds in Calophyllum inophyllum leaves

Objectives To investigate the proximate composition, mineral content, and phytochemical compounds in Calophyllum inophyllum (C. inophyllum) leaves. Moreover, isolation and identification of pyrene were also performed. Methods C. inophyllum leaves were extracted with methanol by percolation methods. The proximate composition of C. inophyllum leaves was analyzed by standard methods. Mineral contents in this plant were analyzed by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Phytochemical screening and analysis of this plant were performed by spectrophotometric method. Washing method with carbon disulfide was used for isolating dihydropyrene compound from C. inophyllum leaves extracts. Results The result revealed that C. inophyllum leaves contained 11.24% moisture, 4.75% ash, 6.43% crude protein, 23.96% crude fiber, 9.91% carbohydrate, and energy (79.17 kcal/100 g). The leaves also contained 0.007% iron, 1.240% calcium, 0.075% sodium, 0.195% magnesium, 0.100% ppm potassium, and 0.040% phosphorus. Moreover, 11.51% alkaloid, 2.48% triterpenoid, 2.37% flavonoid, 7.68% tannin, 2.16% saponin, 2.53% polyphenol, were identified in the methanolic crude extracts of C. inophyllum leaves. It was found that trans-2-[2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-10b,10c-dimethyl-10b,10c-dihydropyrene was obtained at purity of 79.18% (22.17% yield) from C. inophyllum leaves. Conclusions C. inophyllum leaves may be used as a good source of fiber. It was found that C. inophyllum leaves have the potential as herbal drugs due to their phytochemical content. The separation, isolation, and purification of bioactive compounds from this methanolic crude extract and their biological activity are under further investigation.