PHYTOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION OF EGYPTIAN CAPPARIS SPECIES

Abstract

1. A phytochemical screening of certain Egyptian Capparis species was carried out revealing the presence of carbohydrates, catechol tannins, flavonoids, coumarins, saponins, unsaturated sterols and alkaloids. The free sugar was identified as sucrose. .

2. The percentage of lipids and their comparative analyses are given. The unsaponifiable matter of the lipids was found to contain β–sitosterol and 1–triacontanol. The fatty acids were identified by GLC as lauric, myristic, palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic and linolenic. The percentages of these acids in the different species revealed quantitative differences.

3. Rutin was the only flavonoid component, detected in the studied species. The percentage of rutin varies in the different species.