Preliminary Phytochemical Analysis and Quantification of Antioxidant Phenolics in Commelina benghalensis Using HPLC

Commelina benghalensis L. a monocot species of family Commelinaceae is amphicarpic. All plants differentiate two types of shoot systems, aerial and subterranean. On both the shoots, flowers are formed which transform into fruits after pollination. Seeds are also set in the two fruit types. Preliminary colour tests were performed to determine if there were any differences between the two types of shoot systems with respect to their biochemical contents, and results initially indicated that there were. Additionally, the total phenol and flavonoid concentrations (TPC and TFC, respectively) were determined using spectrophotometer. Highest TPC and TFC contents (1.55 ± 0.014 mg/GAE, 4.147 ± 0.001 mg/RHE) were observed in aerial shoots in comparison with their quantities(0.82 ± 0.012 mg/GAE, 0.677 ± 0.0008 mg/RHE) in their subterranean counterparts. Two antioxidant phenolics namely Kaempferol and Apigenin were quantified using HPLC in the shoots, flowers, and seeds of both the shoot systems. Comparatively, Kaempferol content was more in the aerial parts.