ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CONSTITUENT FROM PARTHENIUM HYSTEROPHOROUS

Mandeep Singh Chhina*, Dr. Manbir Kaur, Charanjit Kaur, Dr. Prabh Simran Singh and Sukhmanpreet Singh

ABSTRACT

Parthenium hysterophorus is an aggressive annual herbaceous weed. It is commonly known as „altamisa‟, carrot grass, bitter weed, star weed, white top, wild feverfew, the “Scourge of India” and congress grass. It is a prolific weed belonging to Asteraceae family, producing thousands of small white capitul and each capitula yields five seeds on reaching maturity. It is world‟s most devastating and hazardous weeds. The goal of the research work is to evaluate different characteristics of Parthenium hysterophorus and isolate new chemical compound from methanolic extract of whole plant. The structutre of the isolated comopound was confirmed by using various spectral analytical techniques. The study revealed that based on the physical properties (crystal with white color and m.p.), steroid test and spectroscopic data (IR, NMR and MS) and comparing the data in the scientific literature; the structure of the isolated compound was confirmed to be β-sitosterol derivative. Also, the phytochemical studies show the presence of alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, carbohydrates and saponins. Being abundantly available Parthenium hysterophorus thus provide a vast area of research for the development of highly effective and less toxic therapeutically efficient new chemical entities. The purpose of the research is to isolate new chemical compound from Parthenium hysterophorus and find new pathways for its research & management so as to make it as a boon for mankind rather than a curse.

Keywords: Parthenium, weed, isolation, boon.