Study of Antioxidants, Phytochemicals and Heavy Metals in Crude Leaf Extract in Different Solvents of Castor (Ricinus communis)

The castor oil plant Ricinus communis is a member of the family Euphorbiaceae. This plant is a member of the genus Ricinus which is traditionally called castor bean. Castor seed is the source of castor oil, which has a number of uses. The leaves were dried in an oven at 50 – 60ºC for 72 h. The moisture content was calculated. The dried leaves were grounded and extracted in chloroform, ethanol, ethyl acetate and methanol solvents. Each solvent extract was collected separately and evaporated on rotavapour. The semi-solid liquid extract was made to the desired volume by the addition of the respective solvent. Antioxidant power estimation and phytochemical screening of leaves extract for alkaloids, carbohydrates, Saponin, proteins & amino acids, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides and terpenoids were done by standard test procedures reported in the literature. Atomic absorption spectrophotometric study revealed the presence of the heavy metals Cu, Ca, Cr, Zn, Mn, Fe and Mg in decreasing order of their concentrations. Carbohydrate was tested positive in four solvent extracts. Alkaloids and Saponin were tested negative in each of the four solvent extracts. All four leaf extracts were found to have antioxidant potential.