Enhancing Students' Understanding of Phytochemical Analysis and TLC Using Deinbollia pinnata Leaves

The phytochemical analysis of chemical compounds produced by plants offers benefits across various fields. Students were introduced to plant constituents to provide them with a better understanding of plant science. This practical demonstration using TLC techniques supported with educational intervention has motivated twelve (12) final year students’ interest in medicine/pharmaceutical, which were selected from CHEM/BIO, CHEM/MATH, CHEM/ISC and CHEM/PHY combinations. The study revealed six (6) constituents from Deinbollia pinnata leaves, which can be compounds from simple sugars, flavonoids, coumarins, fixed oils/fats, phenols, tannins, steroids, terpenoids, saponins, and alkaloids as identified through phytochemical analysis results. Thus, educators can help students explore immediate plant phytochemicals and evaluate their pharmacological activities to address global challenges related to health, nutrition, and environmental sustainability.