Isolation and Identification of Flavonoid Compounds from Saga (Abrus Precatorius) Leaf Extract

Abstract

Saga leaves (Abrus precatorius L.) are traditional medicinal plants known to contain various secondary metabolites, including flavonoids that exhibit bioactive properties such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. However, information regarding the isolation and characterization of flavonoid compounds from saga leaves remains limited. This study aimed to isolate and identify flavonoid compounds present in saga leaves as a basis for the development of natural materials with pharmaceutical potential. The methods employed included extraction using Ultrasonic Assisted Extraction (UAE) with a methanol:water (9:1) solvent system, followed by phytochemical screening, liquid–liquid fractionation, column chromatography, and preparative thin-layer chromatography. Compound identification was carried out using UV-Vis spectrophotometry, along with melting point determination to evaluate the physical characteristics of the isolate. The results showed that UAE extraction produced a yield of 4.68%, and phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of flavonoid compounds. The ethyl acetate fraction was obtained as the target fraction with a yield of 15.4%. Purification using column chromatography and preparative TLC yielded a flavonoid isolate that exhibited a maximum absorption at a wavelength of 282 nm and a melting point of approximately 127°C. These results indicate that the isolated compound possesses flavonoid characteristics with a moderate level of purity. This study concludes that saga leaves have potential as a natural source of flavonoid compounds that can be further developed in the pharmaceutical and health fields.