Abstract:
The plant, Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell has traditionally utilized as herbal remedies to cure
various ailments under different processing techniques, even though the availability of bioactive
compounds has not been explored scientifically. The present investigation mainly focused on
comparing the stability of phytochemicals under selected treatments domestically practiced in
Sri Lanka, using the whole plant employing standard procedures and qualitatively and
quantitatively investigating selected phytochemicals. The 4 different processing techniques
(Treatment) were followed. Treatment 1 (salad) was prepared without mixing extra ingredients
or heat treatment for the washed and chopped plant material. Treatment 2 (mallum) was
prepared by giving moderate heat of 80 oC (5mins). Treatment 3 (fried) was prepared by giving
105 oC (5mins). Treatment 4 (concentrate) was prepared by concentrating water extract 8 into 1
volume at higher temperatures (>150 oC). The presence of selected phytochemicals, particularly
the alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, phlobatannins, total glycosides, steroids, saponins, quinones,
leucoanthocyanidines and phenolic compounds were qualitatively determined. Alkaloid,
flavonoid, saponin, tannin, total phenolic compounds and antioxidants were quantitatively
analyzed. According to the results of qualitative analysis alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins,
phlobatannins, quinones, leucoanthocyanidines and phenolic compounds were positive but
steroids, glycosides and quinones were not positive under treatment 4. The other compounds
were available in treatment 1, 2 and 3 samples. The highest total phenol content (27.82+10.08
mg/g), saponin (4.92+0.99), alkaloid (6.47 + 1.65) and tannin (0.11 + 0.01 mg/g) content were
reported in the sample that carried out treatment 4. The highest contents of antioxidants
(43.97+0.45 mg/g) and flavonoid (3.40+0.31 mg/g) were reported upon treatment 1. According
to GC-MS analysis, a total of 26, 24, 15 and 18 molecules were identified orderly in treatment 1,
2, 3 and 4. The medium used was chloroform: methanolic (4:1) extract. Variation of the amounts
of these compounds has happened due to the cooking treatments. Therefore, these changes were
the reason for the traditionally practiced plant’s utilization methods as the above treatments for
different ailments.
