Identification of Secondary Metabolite Compounds in Nut Grass (Cyperus rotundus L.) Using Different Solvents Types

Abstract

Nut grass (Cyperus rotundus L.) is a common weed often found in agricultural fields. Its high population in agricultural land can have negative implications for farmers as it can inhibit the growth and production of cultivated crops. However, nutgrass has the potential to be developed into a biopesticide due to its phytochemical compounds. This research aims to identify secondary metabolite compounds present in nutgrass extracts. The study employed phytochemical screening methods on nutgrass extracts using ethanol (polar) and n-hexane (non-polar) solvents. The results showed that the yield of nutgrass extract using ethanol and n-hexane solvents was 10.81% and 0.65%, respectively. Nutgrass extract with ethanol as the solvent contained alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, and steroids, whereas the extract with n-hexane as the solvent only contained steroid compounds. In general, the secondary metabolite compounds in nutgrass extracts include alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, and steroids.