Characterization of Phenolic Compounds from Leaf Extract of Bidens Pilosa Linn. Var. Radiata

Aim: To extract and characterize phenolic compounds in extract of Bidens pilosa Linn. Var. Radiata leaves.

Study Design: Experimental.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in the Chemistry Laboratory, Department of chemistry and biochemistry, School of Sciences and Aerospace Studies, Moi University (Kenya) between January 2020 and March 2021.

Methodology: Extraction of Bidens pilosa leaves was done using the Soxhlet method, with dichloromethane/ methanol (1:1) as the solvents used for extraction. The analysis of phenolic compounds present in the B. pilosa extract employed a combination of spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques including Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectroscopy and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS).

Results: Functional groups identified by FT-IR ranged from 995-665cm-1 related to C=C bending for alkenes (flavonoids); 1470–1150 cm−1 could be due to C-H stretching vibration for phenols; 1250-1020 cm-1 related to C-N stretching vibration for amines; 1275-1200 cm-1 due to C-O stretching vibration for vinyl ether. GC-MS/MS analysis afforded the identification and quantification of phenolic compounds, with 2,4-Di-tert-butyl phenol, 2,6-Bis (tert-butyl)phenol, 3,5-ditert-butyl phenol, and 2,5-bis(1,1-Dimethylethyl)phenol being the major components of the leaf extract.

Conclusion: The data derived from the characterization of B. Pilosa is a clear indication that the plant leaves are rich in bioactive compounds, verifying its claimed traditional use for treating various diseases This study recommends further studies on the identified bioactive compounds. It also recommends isolation of the identified compounds and testing for their pharmacological activities such as antibacterial, antifungal, and antiulcer.