Determination of Phytochemicals in Ficus deltoidea, Lawsonia inermis and Morinda citrofolia Leaves using Raman Spectroscopy

The identification of phytochemicals in medicinal plants is crucial for understanding their bioactive compounds and therapeutic properties. Raman spectroscopy is an optical tool that has been recently proposed as one of the most promising, immediate, label-free and non-destructive method of analysis of plant substances. This study determined the phytochemical structures in the leaves of Ficus deltoidea, Lawsonia inermis and Morinda citrofolia, three plants widely known for their medicinal uses utilizing Raman spectroscopy. Plant leaves were subjected to a Raman spectrometer with 785 nm laser to acquire spectral data. The spectra were baseline corrected, and vector normalized following acquisition. Major bands of the leaves showed prominent aromatics, phenylpropanoids, carotenoids and cell wall components. The spectra provided distinct vibrational modes corresponding to Raman bands particularly carotenoids and aromatics that offer insight into the medicinal benefits of plant phytochemicals. The results highlighted the potential of Raman spectroscopy as an efficient tool for the analysis of medicinal plants; thus, enabling faster and more precise identification of phytochemicals. This study contributes to a broader application of Raman spectroscopy in medicinal plant research for their use in agricultural, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries.