Morphology and Phytochemical Constituent of 4 Varieties of Dioscorea alata (Dioscoreaceae) in Sarawak

Dioscorea alata belongs to family Dioscoreaceae or locally known as Ubi Gadong have significant value as food and as remedies in Malaysia. There are four varieties investigated in this study, based on morphology since they have quite similar characteristics. The aim of this study is to determine the phytochemical constituents of four varieties of Dioscorea alata focusing on the terpenoid, steroid, saponin, alkaloid and flavonoid by using different method of extraction and test conducted on different plant parts (leaves and tuber part). The second aim is to determine the morphology characteristics and variation within species by using flavonoid profile analysis. The methodology for the preliminary phytochemical analysis of chemical compound were based on standard protocol and two different methods of extraction were conducted by using ethanol and distilled water (dHzO) respectively. The phytochemical analyses carried out on the leaves part and tuber showed the presence of terpenoid, steroid, saponin, alkaloid and flavonoid. Steroid compound was not detected in tuber part, which is extracted by using dHzO. Preliminary flavonoid analysis using 2-D chromatography, showed the presence of different spots which could be used for differentiate the 4 different varieties of D. alata studied