preliminary phytochemical screening of the potential medicinal plants of the melanau in pulau bruit, sarawak, malaysia

Potential medicinal plants are widely used by Melanau community in Pulau Bruit, Sarawak, Malaysia and their biological and phytochemical properties have not been thorough evaluated. By studying the presence of phytochemical, the uses of it in traditional treatment can be explained scientifically. Preliminary phytochemical screening was performed on ethanolic extracts of leaves of Acanthus ebracteatus, Clinacanthus nutans, Derris trifoliata, Erigeron Canadensis, Gynura procumbens, Lygodium microphyllum, Macaranga pruinosa, Poikilospermum cordifolium and the rhizomes of Boesenbergia pulchella and Etlingera littoralis. The phytochemical compounds were determined using conventional chemical tests. Alkaloids were detected in all tested plant with various cloudiness of precipitation except Macaranga pruinosa. Acanthus ebracteatus contains highest concentration of alkaloid. Flavonoids were detected in all tested plant with various strength of the color except for Gynura procumbens. Acanthus ebracteatus and Derris trifoliata contains highest concentration of flavonoids. Saponins were detected in Acanthus ebracteatus, Clinacanthus nutans, Derris trifoliata, Erigeron Canadensis, Gynura procumbens and Macaranga pruinosa with various length of froth. Tannins were detected in all samples with either brownish-green or blue-blue black colour appearance. It can be concluded that all tested plants do content promising pharmacology properties based on the presence of various secondary metabolites