A STUDY ON PHYTOCHEMICALS, ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY AND FT-IR ANALYSIS OF RHAPIS EXCELSA (THUNB.) A. HENRY

D. Vanaja and Dr. S. Kavitha*

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to investigate the less explored popular palm Rhapis excelsa leaves for its phytochemical composition, anti-oxidant activity and FTIR evaluation. The aqueous, methanol and hexane extracts were used in the study. The qualitative test confirmed the presence of terpenoids, steroids, saponins, glycosides, phytosterols, resins, phenols, flavonoids and oxalic acid. The quantitative analysis of total phenolics and terpenoids in methanolic extract revealed (11 mg GAE/g) and (130 mg/g) respectively. The hydrogen peroxide and reducing power scavenging assay were used to study antioxidant activity. The FTIR analysis studies showed characteristic peak values for various functional compounds in the extracts. The present study suggests that this plant has therapeutic potential which can be used as resources of different bioactive compounds and antioxidants.

Keywords: Phytochemical; phenol; terpenoid; anti-oxidant; FTIR.