Spectroscopic Analyses of Alkaloids and Tannins from the Leaves of Ficus Citrifolia

Ficus citrifolia (Family Morracae) is known for numerous medicinal uses, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-cancer. Alkaloids and tannins were isolated from crude extracts of the leaves of Ficus citrifolia and analysed using GCMS, FTIR and HPLC. From the ethanol, 2000 mL and 80 % methanol, 1500 mL extracts, alkaloids and tannins were isolated, respectively. Thin layer and column chromatography (TLC and CC, respectively) were employed to isolate and purify alkaloids and tannins. The ethanol (2000 mL) extract gave 22 fractions, and 20 fractions were collected from the 80 % methanol (1500 mL) extract of F. citrifolia . Fractions with similar retention factor (Rf) values were pooled and identified as AK1 to AK3 for alkaloids and TA1 and TA2 for tannins. The spectra of the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy for AK1 to AK3 showed characteristic absorption peaks between 3370 and 3470 cm -1 , of NH and NH 2 , 1168 and 1233 cm -1 , C-N stretching vibrations, 726 and 895 cm -1 , C-H aromatic out of plane bending vibrations, all of which are expected absorption peaks for alkaloids. TA1 to TA2 showed characteristic absorption peaks between 3300.1 and 3400.1 cm -1 , OH stretch of phenols, 1077 and 1084 cm -1 , C-O stretch of alcohols, 1457.1 and 1461.1 cm -1 , C-C stretch (in ring) aromatic, all of which are expected absorption peaks for tannins. The Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) of AK3 identified the fraction as 1,2-Benzoisothiazole-3-amine TBDMS derivative. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) of TA1 and TA2 treated under the same condition with a tannin standard, quercetin, showed that both fractions were quercetin. Hence, alkaloids and tannins were successfully isolated from the leaves of F. citrifolia . The presence of these compounds corroborates the medicinal uses of the plant.