Quantitative Estimation of Chlorophyll and Carotene Content in Triticum aestivum Hexane Extract and Antimicrobial Effect against Salmonella

Abstract

India is a rich and varied flora of medicinal plants since the Vedic period. Present study deals with the qualitative and quantitative analysis of hexane extract of Triticum aestivum grass. A qualitative analysis by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and a quantitative analysis by standard chemical protocol of secondary metabolites in the hexane extract of Triticum aestivum grass were studied. Using TLC, different components such as chlorophyll and carotene were analyzed. The Rf (0.28, 0.29, 0.37, 0.65, 0.74 and 0.93) values of the 6 developed spots in the hexane: ethyl acetate (16:4) solvent system were noted. In the quantitative analysis, chlorophyll and carotene content in T. aestivum was 0.54 ±0.016 g/l out of which chlorophyll-a, and chlorophyllb were 0.288±0.05 and 0.305±0.05 g/l, respectively while carotene content was 0.42±0.066 g/l. The antimicrobial activity of hexane extract of Triticum aestivum grass against Salmonella Enteritidis showed potential effects with inhibitory zones in the range of 9-8 mm along with minimum inhibitory concentration (50 mg/ml) and reduction of cell count. These results may be helpful for rationale use of this plant in the modern system of health care.