Solvent-Dependent Phytochemical Diversity in Justicia tranquebariensis: A Comparative Analysis of Methanol and Ethyl Acetate Extractions

This study investigates the impact of solvent polarity on the extraction efficiency and phytochemical profiles of Justicia tranquebariensis, a plant traditionally valued for its medicinal properties. Bioactive compounds were extracted from dried plant material using methanol (polar) and ethyl acetate (semi-polar) via Soxhlet extraction. Methanol yielded a significantly higher extraction rate (24.17%) compared to ethyl acetate (11.82%) and a broader range of phytochemicals, including alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, phenols, tannins, and carbohydrates. In contrast, the ethyl acetate extract was characterized by flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, carbohydrates, and oils/resins. These findings highlight the crucial role of solvent selection in determining the quantity and diversity of extracted secondary metabolites from Justicia tranquebariensis, providing valuable insights for targeted phytochemical investigations and potential drug discovery efforts.