The extraction of sterculiaceae species

This study introduces the Sterculiaceae family, which consists of seventy genera, including Scaphium and Sterculia species. They are called as malva nuts that are used as remedy against pharyngitis, tussis and constipation. Malva nuts are utilized in Thai traditional medicine as a cooling agent to treat fever, coughing and sore throats. From the review, Sterculiaceae species are reported as antioxidative, antiulcer and can help to reduce the body weight. Nevertheless, only few studies were done on the extracts and compounds. Researchers are more likely to focus on the root, bark and leaf extracts, since those plant parts exhibit a broad range of medicinal properties. Thus, there is not much research on the seed extraction. In addition, Scaphium seeds contain large amount of mucilaginous substances. Many journals discuss on the extraction of the major monosaccharide from the species. However, other chemical constituents and biological uses of the seeds are still unknown. In contrast, Sterculia lychnophora was extensively investigated in terms of the phytochernistry and pharmacology. Hence, there is a need for comparing the Sterculiaceae seeds, based on the literature search. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the phytochemical constituents in the malva nuts' seeds extracts. Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) analysis was performed and the ideal TLC solvent sytem for chloroform extract was hexane and ethyl acetate (7: 1). Phytochernical analysis of the extracts revealed the presence of secondary metabolites such as alkaloid, phenols and saponins. The presence of alkaloid could support a study that previously isolated such constituents. The chloroform extract was purified by preparative thin layer chromatography (PTLC). The compound was further elucidated by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). The NMR spectrum analysis suggested the isolated substance was a mixture of both an aromatic aldehyde (oH 7 -· 10 ppm) and a fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) (OH O - 5.5 ppm). Future work is encouraged to reinvestigate the extract in order to increase the amount of purified compounds. Finally, it is hoped that this study could increase the knowledge on the phytochernistry of the Sterculiaceae family, which then could be added as the line of today's drug.