Thin layer chromatography-bioassay and principal component analysis for rapid classification in plant extracts of Malvaceae family

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Golestan University, Gorgan, Iran

2 Department of Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants and Drugs Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

3 3 Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Golestan University, Gorgan, Iran

10.22075/chem.2026.34680.2286

Abstract

Plants are rich source of phenolic compounds, which are among the most important natural antioxidants. Antioxidants in the diet are important for protecting the body against oxidative stress and maintaining good health. The aim of this study was to categorize the antioxidant properties of the ethanol extract of nine species of Malvaceae family using HPTLC and PCA. The mobile phase of hexane: ethyl acetate: acetic acid (4:5:1) was selected for thin layer chromatography. DPPH free radical inhibition activity, total phenol content and vitamin E content of the extracts were measured by HPTLC. The collected data were analyzed using classification toolbox in MATLAB to categorize the species based on the studied properties. The results of this analysis showed that the extracts of Abutilon theophrasti Medik., Malva sylvestris L., and Alcea rosea L. (purple flower) are in the same group and have high free radical scavenging activity, high phenol content, and high amount of vitamin E. The antioxidant activity of Alcea rosea (purple flower), Malva sylvestris and Abutilon theophrasti extracts are higher than other extracts. Therefore, Malvaceae family can be used as a rich source of compounds with antioxidant properties in the food and drug industries to maintain human health.

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