Solvent partition for terpenoid rich fraction from crude extract of Eurycoma longifolia

Abstract

The root of Eurycoma longifolia or locally called as Tongkat Ali contains numerous health benefits, mainly due to the bioactive compounds. The main compound of interest is from the group of quassinoids which is also known as degraded triterpenoids such as eurycomanone, eurycomalactone, longilactone, pasakbumin B and pasakbumin C. Quassinoids or degraded triterpenoids were reported to possess anti-malarial, anti-diabetic, anti-bacterial and anti-cancer effects. Therefore, it is important to concentrate terpenoids rich fraction from the crude extract of E. longifolia roots to enhance the reported bioactivities. The present study was carried out to determine the suitable solvent in concentrating terpenoids from the crude extract of E. longifolia roots. Organic solvents such as chloroform, butanol and ethyl acetate were selected to maximally recover terpenoids based on the principle of liquid-liquid extraction. The quality of the fractions was compared and analysed for the phytochemical composition. The results showed all organic fractions contained higher total terpenoid content than its aqueous counterpart. The chloroform fraction exhibited the highest yield of mass fraction (72.90 ± 0.15%) and the highest total terpenoid content (0.47 ± 0.01 mg OAE/L).