Study on phytochemicals, functional groups and minerals in asparagus racemosus root

Abstract

Asparagus racemosus root is a rich source of phytochemicals and minerals. The phytochemicals present in the ethanolic extract was studied by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS). Identification of functional group, quantitive determination of major, and trace minerals was carried out by FT-IR and AAS. GC/MS result shows the presence of five phytocompounds namely 2-ethyl-2-(hydroxymethyl)- 1,3-propanediol, (r)-5-(1,5-dimethyl-4-hexenyl)-2-methyl phenol, n-hexadecanoic acid, (z)-2-(9-octadecenyloxy)ethanol, 4,4- dimethyl-3β5α-cholest-8(14)-en-3-ol, which has health and other industrial applications. FT-IR spectra highlights the presence of various functional groups. AAS result shows the high level of calcium, magnesium, phosphorous and iron where as sodium, manganese, zinc, and copper were low. All these phytochemical and minerals present in Asparagus racemosus can be used in treating various diseases and mineral deficiencies.