Phytochemical and GC-MS Analysis of n-Hexane Extract of Rauvolfia serpentina L . Benth

Abstract Rauvolfia serpentina which is also known as Indian snakeroot or sarpagandha is a member of the family Apocynaceae was popular from ancient times as an antidote to the stings of insects and bites of poisonous reptiles. Qualitative analysis of root extracts of R. serpentina indicates the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, steroids, flavonoids, and phenols. The quantitative determination of phytochemical constituents of Rauvolfia serpentina indicates the presence of 2% fat, 12.4% alkaloid and 7.35% saponins in plant sample. n-Hexane extract of root of Rauvolfia serpentina was analyzed through GC-MS. The compounds were identified by comparison of GC-MS spectrum with library searches which led to identification of 18 compounds. The major constituents were found to be 2-methylheptane (3.48%), cis-1,3-dimethylcyclohexane (13.66%), 2-(propoxymethyl)oxirane (3.45%) Hexylene Glycol (14.28%), 3-methylheptan-2-one (15.56%), 2,5dimethylhexan-3,4-diol (5.70%), 3,4-dimethylhexan-2-ol (7.47%), 1,1,2,3-tetramethylcyclopropane (24.33%), Diethyl Phthalate (2.11%) and other chemical constituents with less than 2% peak area.