IJBPAS, December, 2012, 1(11): 1741-1746

ISSN: 22774998

GC-MS ANALYSIS OF PUERARIA PHASEOLOIDES (ROXB.)BENTH

JASEENTHA MO1*, BRITTO SJ2 AND KOCHUTHRESSIA KP1
1: Department of Botany, Carmel College, Mala, Thrissur, Kerala 680 732
2: The Rapinat Herbarium and Centre for Molecular Systematics, St. Joseph's College
(Autonomous), Tiruchirapalli- 620 002, South India
*Corresponding Author: E Mail: carmeljaseentha@gmail.com; Tel.: 0480-2894706
ABSTRACT
Pueraria phaseoloides (Roxb.) Benth, commonly referred to as Tropical Kudzu is native to
Southern China and naturalized throughout the humid tropics. In this study the composition of
ethanol extract of the seed of P. phaseoloides was analysed by GC-MS. Eighteen different
compounds were identified and they are mainly the Hyrdocarbons, Sesquiterpenens and fatty
acids. The retention times and peak areas of the identified constituents are presented in a table.
The five main constituents identified were Benzeneethanamine, a-methyl, Maltol, Octonoic acid,
n-Decanoic acids, Nonanoic acid, 5- methyl-,ethyl ester.
Keywords: Pueraria phaseoloides, GC-MS, Fatty Acids and Hydrocarbons
INTRODUCTION
It is reported that Pueraria spp. enrich soils

yielding

through biological nitrogen fixation [1].

puerarin,

Pueraria

the

conservation [2]. Pueraria species exhibit

Papilionoideae family and the three among

high levels of genotypic diversity [3].

them are native to India. They are Pueraria

Pueraria

lobata - Kudzu, Pueraria tuberosa - Indian

(Papilionoideae) is Vigorous, deep-rooted,

Kudzu , and Pueraria

phaseoloides -

perennial twining and climbing legume,

tuberosa,

slightly woody, and hairy. Its main stems are

plant,

slender, 6 mm in diameter and up to 10 m in

Tropical

includes

Kudzu.

medicinally

16

species,

Pueraria

important

leguminous

of

various
is

isoflavanones

threatened,

phaseoloides

thus

(Roxb.

including
requiring

Benth.

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Jaseentha MO et al

Short Communication

length, rooting at the nodes upon contact with

MATERIALS AND METHODS

moist soil. Young shoots are densely covered

Plant Collection

with brown hairs. Leaves large, trifoliate,

Fresh seeds of the plant was collected from

borne on petioles 5-10 cm long and covered

the river banks of Chalakudy, Thrissur dt,

with ascending hairs. Leaflets thin, triangular-

Kerala and the plant name was confirmed by

ovate, 2-20 cm x 2-15 cm, usually very

comparing it with the Herbarium specimen in

shallowly lobed; lateral leaflets oblique, 6-7

KFRI (Kerala Forest Research Institute). A

cm long and wide. Flowers small, mauve to

voucher specimen was submitted in Rapinat

deep purple, borne in scattered pairs in

Herbarium, Tiruchirappalli.

axillary racemes, about 15-30 cm long, on

Extraction

peduncles about 12.5 cm long. Pod straight,

Finely chopped fresh seeds of Pueraria

or slightly curved, linear, cylindrical, 4-11 cm

phaseoloides were extracted by hot extraction

x 3-5 mm, thinly covered with stiff adpressed

process using a soxhlet extraction device with

hairs, turning black when ripe. Seeds 3 mm x

solvent ethanol, for 72 hrs at a temperature

2 mm, oblong to squarish with rounded

not exceeding the boiling point of the solvent.

corners, brown to brownish black in colour

The filtrates were concentrated in vaccum

with. 10-20 seeds per pod.

rotary evaporator at 60C in order to reduce

P. phaseoloides is native to Southern China

the volume. The paste like extracts were

(Guangdong,

stored in labeled screw capped bottles and

Guangxi,

Yunnan,

Hainan

Island, Hong Kong), Taiwan, Bangladesh,

kept in refrigerator at 4C.

Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Cambodia,

GC/MS Analysis

Laos,

Thailand.Vietnam,

The extracts were subjected to GC-MS. Gas

Brunei, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia,

chromatography-Mass Spectrometry analysis

Papua

Islands.

was performed with an Fisons GC-MS

Naturalised throughout the humid-tropics.

instrument. A Splitless mode was chosen with

Edible Parts being root, the tuberous root can

helium as carrier gas. The column was DBS

be eaten. Medicinal uses include Poultice;

MS of 30 m in length, 0.25 mm in diameter

Skin [4].

and 0.25 mm film thickness and (1 mg/ml) the

The aim of the study was to investigate the

active fractions (Substances) dissolved in

composition of the ethanol extract of the seed

ethanol was

of Pueraria phaseoloides by GC-MS

conditions,

Myanmar

New

and

Guinea,

Solomon

injected
injector

in the

following

temperature,

280C
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Jaseentha MO et al

Short Communication

carrier gas, helenin, Pressure 150 Kpa,

P.tuberosa, has hypothermic, spasmolytic,

lonisation mode E+ solvent delay (min) 2.00,

hypotensive, and anti arrhymatic activities

temperature gradient, 20C per minute from

[9]. A therapeutic effect of puerarin on

100 to 315C. The analysis was carried out at

diabetic nephropathy has been reported [10].

the Food Analysis Laboratory at Thanjavur,

Crude

South India.

contraceptive effects and induce uterine

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

changes in rats [11]. Plant derivatives also

Eighteen (18) constituents were identified in

demonstrate hypocholesterolemic effects [12].

the ethanol extracts seed, of Pueraria

This is also important in the treatment of

phaseoloides. The identification of these

alcohol dependency due to inhibition of

constituents

direct

alcohol transport across the gut membrane

comparison of their retention times (RT) and

[13]. Pueraria tuberosa possesses lupinoside

mass spectra fragmentation with those in

which can prevent damage of insulin activity

NIST (National Institute of Standards and

by free fatty acid [14]. The presence of

Technology)

biologically

was

made

Library,

by

the

NIST

(National

extracts

of

active

P.

tuberosa

compounds

as

phenols,

Library, and the published literatures. The

flavanoids and terpenoids in various plants

phytochemical

are known to possess antibacterial activity

extracts

of

Pueraria

of

ethanol

phaseoloides

are

[15].

Pueraria

tannins,

such

Institute of Standards and Technology)

components

polyphenols,

have

phaseoloides

alkaloids

posses

presented in the Table1 showing their

Benzeneethanamine -methyl, which have

Retention Times and Peak areas.

In total

antimicrobial effect. Maltol, has cancer

eighteen (18) constituents were identified and

preventive activity. It also posses the effect of

the

are

pesticide, sedative, fungistat, and sweetener.

Maltol,

Octonoic acid, is an insecticide and has

Octonoic acid, n-Decanoic acids, Nonanoic

antimicrobial effect. 2-Furancarboxaldehyde,

acid,

Previous

5-(hydroxyl methyl)- is an antimicrobial

phytochemical analysis have reported the

preservative. Thymol and Phenol, 2-methoxy-

presence

3-(2-Propenyl)- have Analgesic, Anasthetic,

major

constituents

Benzeneethanamine

5-

-methyl,

methyl-,ethyl

of

present

various

ester.

isoflavonoids

of

highantioxidant properties including daidzin,

Antioxidant,

genistin, tectoridin, and puerarin, in Pueraria

Antiviral and Cancer preventive effect. These

tuberose [5-8]. Puerarin, highly abundant in

are

fungicide,

Antiseptic,

Rodenticide,

Antibacterial,

Emetic and
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Jaseentha MO et al

vasodilator

Short Communication

[16].

Pueraria

tuberosa

is

tubers have restricted its reproduction and

naturally propagated through seed and tuber.

regeneration. As a result, this species is

However, wide-spread destruction of its

threatened in its habitat, and has become

natural habitat and indiscriminate use of

rarely available [17].

Table 1: GC-MS Constituents of Pueraria phaseoloides, Ethanol extract

S. No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18

Retention
Time
5.26
6.73
7.94
9.00
10.76
12.35
12.62
13.14
15.12
17.43
17.84
20.03
25.71
26.16
28.88
29.00
35.46

AREA
(%)
0.21
2.74
2.53
0.88
0.40
0.31
2.56
0.13
1.23
27.20
1.06
20.30
0.62
0.68
6.99
13.68
4.75

COMPOUND
Benzeneethanamine -methyl
Maltol
Octanoic acid
2-Furancarboxaldehyde,5-(hydroxyl methyl)Thymol
Phenol,2-methoxy-3-(2-Propenyl)n-Decanoic acids
Nonanoic acid , 5- methyl-,ethyl ester
D allose
Dodecanoic acid
Dodecanoic acid ethyl ester
3-O-Methyl-d-glucose
n-Hexadecanoic acid
Hexadecanoic acid ethyl ester
9,12-octadecadienoic acid(Z,Z)Oleic acid
1,2,-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, diisooctyl ester
Pregnan- 20-one,3-(acetoxy)-5,6-epoxy,(3,5,6)-

41.88

St.

13.72

CONCLUSION

Systematics,

Joseph's

College

It is significant to note that Pueraria

(Autonomous), Tiruchirapalli for facilities

phaseoloides possesses a vast array of

provided.

valuable compounds and it can be used

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wheat

We

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IJBPAS, December, 2012, 1(11)

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Short Communication

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