Analytical Evaluation of Acacia catechu (L.f.) Willd. Heartwood Extract: Thin-Layer Chromatographic Profile and Physicochemical Characterization
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Abstract
Black catechu, a solidified crude heartwood extract obtained from Acacia catechu (L.f.) Willd., is a traditional herbal material widely used in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmetic, and functional products due to its high content of phenolic compounds. However, comprehensive analytical information for quality evaluation and standardization of commercially available black catechu remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the quality of black catechu through chemical identification, Thin-layer chromatographic (TLC) analysis, physicochemical characterization, and quantitative phytochemical analysis.
Qualitative phytochemical screening was performed using ferric chloride and gelatin precipitation tests. TLC was employed using catechin as a reference standard to establish a characteristic TLC profile. Physicochemical parameters, including macroscopic characteristics, loss on drying, and water- and ethanol-soluble extractive values, were determined according to pharmacognostic quality control procedures. These pharmacognostic parameters were subsequently used to support the evaluation of the identity and quality of the investigated commercial black catechu. Total phenolic content, total tannin content, and total flavonoid content were quantified using spectrophotometric methods.
The ferric chloride and gelatin precipitation tests confirmed the presence of tannins in the crude extract. TLC analysis demonstrated a characteristic catechin band at Rf 0.75, supporting the authenticity of the material. The crude extract exhibited a low loss on drying value (1.01 ± 0.01% w/w), water-soluble extractive value of 46.26 ± 3.76% w/w, and ethanol-soluble extractive value of 31.28 ± 1.29% w/w. Quantitative analysis revealed high levels of total phenolics (707.41 ± 0.59 mg CE/g crude extract), flavonoids (497.62 ± 1.85 mg CE/g crude extract), and tannins (161.45 ± 0.21 mg CE/g crude extract).
These findings provide comprehensive analytical data supporting the identity, quality, and phytochemical richness of black catechu. The proposed analytical parameters may serve as useful reference standards for authentication, quality control, and future standardization of black catechu raw materials and related herbal products.
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