Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to analyze the phytochemical components of adventitious roots of Ficus benghalensis by biochemical reactions, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Materials and Methods: Phytochemical screening was performed using shade-dried powder of the roots. FTIR and GC-MS as analysis were performed using the organic solvent extracts of the root powder. Results: The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of bioactive compounds such as phenols, saponins, tannins, terpenoids, amino acids, and proteins. FTIR has revealed four major peaks. The first major peak has the value of 2916 with aromatic group (C-H), the second peak with the value of 2848 indicated the presence of amines and amides (N-H), followed by the peak values of 1735 and 1242 which belongs to esters, saturated aliphatic group (C=O), and aromatic amines (C-N), respectively. Chromatogram of GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of two compounds, i.e., silicic acid, diethyl bis(trimethylsilyl) ester at 24.28 min Rt and cyclotrisiloxane, hexamethyl- at 29.90 min Rt in the root extract, suggesting that these two are only volatile molecules present in the methanolic extract. The other phytochemicals present in the extract might be non-volatile and/or heavy weight molecules. Further analysis of the extract of Ficus benghalensis would possibly yield novel bioactive phytochemicals. Conclusion: Results of this study give a summary of various phytochemicals present in the adventitious roots of F. benghalensis.

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