Phytochemical screening and metabolite profiling of Cryptocoryne spiralis Fischer ex Wydler var. spiralis (Araceae)

Cryptocryne spiralis var. spiralis is belongs to the family Araceae and have been widely used as a substitute for Ativisha in the treatment of diarrhoea. Rhizome and leaves of Cryptocoryne spiralis var. spiralis have been selected for phytochemical screening to identify different phytochemicals and quantitative estimation of phenolics, flavonoids and starch. GC-MS analysis was also carried out to determine the metabolite profile of the plant. The rhizome and leaves of C. spiralis var. spiralis were found to contain phytochemicals including carbohydrates, proteins, phenolics, flavonoids, saponins, glycosides, sterols, alkaloids, fixed oils and fats. A significant amount of phenolics, flavonoids and starch were determined in the leaf and rhizome extract. Major metabolites identified by GC-MS analysis includes eicosine, phytol, isocineole, 1-ido-hexadecane, 4, 7-dimethylundecane and 2-methyl hexacosane.