Standardization of Elaeis guineensis with respect to authenticity, assay and chemical constituent analysis

Abstract

In consideration of commercialization of formulations based on medicinal plants, quality control standards of various medicinal plants used in traditional medicine are becoming more important. An attempt for the standardization of Elaeis guineensis leaf has been carried out with respect to authenticity, assay and chemical constituent analysis. Many parameters of authentication involved in this study include gross morphology, microscopy of leaf and functional groups analysis by the fourier transform infrared (FTIR) method. Standardization involves the determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extract whereby the chemical effects could be assessed and curative values established. The standardization of chemical constituent involves the quantification of lead molecules in E. guineensis. The MIC of the E. guineensis leaves extract was investigated using broth dilution method. The extract showed a MIC value of 6.25 mg/ml and same value was retained for different extracting time. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method used for quantifications of 2,6,10,14,18,22-tetracosahexaene in the extract was rapid, accurate, precise, linear (R² = 0.993), rugged and robust. Hence this method is suitable for the quantification of 2,6,10,14,18,22- tetracosahexaene in E. guineensis.

Key words: Elaeis guineensis, standardization, microscopy, medicinal plants.