A Study on Qualitative and Quantitative Phytochemical Analysis of Selected True and Associate Mangroves

Aims: To determine the qualitative and quantitative analysis of various mangrove plant parts by using the solvents of varying polarity. Place and Duration of Study: Plant Physiology Laboratory, Department of Botany and Microbiology, Acharya Nagarjuna University, during May and June, 2022. Methodology: True mangroves i.e. Aegiceras corniculatum (Ac) and Sonneratia apetala (Sa) and associate mangrove species i.e. Clerodendrum inerme (Ci), Derris trifoliata (Dt) and Suaeda maritima (Sm) of Nizampatnam located on the south-east coast of Andhra Pradesh, India were selected for the study. Healthy and fresh leaves, stems, and roots were washed and dried. All the plant parts by pulverisation using mechanical blender and sieved. The powders were tested for qualitative and quantitative screening of phytochemicals using hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and water. Results: Qualitative and quantitative investigations found that the true mangrove, Aegiceras corniculatum, showed a diverse range of phytochemicals. The methanol and ethyl acetate extracts were especially high in phenolics (53.01 mg/g), coumarins (24.81 mg/g), flavonoids (63.47 mg/g), saponins (32.07 mg/g), tannins (51.17 mg/g), and terpenoids (59.02 mg/g). Mangrove associate Suaeda maritima outperformed the other mangrove associates. S. maritima contained high amounts of saponins (16.27 mg/g), terpenoids (51.36 mg/g), flavonoids (42.86 mg/g), and alkaloids (11.74 mg/g). Conclusion: True mangrove Aegiceras corniculatum displaying the highest phytochemical potential both qualitatively and quantitatively. Mangrove associate Suaeda maritima also shown outstanding phytochemical richness and yield among the related associate mangroves.