Physico-chemical Study and phytochemical Screening of Vetiver Hydrosol

Abstract

The screening and study of selected Indian medicinal plants and Vetiveria zizanoides were selected for physico-chemical study, phytochemical screening and microbial test.

Introduction

The sufficient sources of strong natural fiber from the plant kingdom are called ‘Vetiveria zizanioide’. It had plentiful properties like antioxidants & inherently containing a sweet earthy good aroma. The steam-distillation method was used for extracting vetiver hydrosol/herb water. Under the standard qualitative phytochemical screening method, this particular extract was tested.

The present work evaluates the aromatic waters/ hydrosol of Vetiver obtained as innovative commercial products of a steam distillation process.

The following tables provides information on the most commonly tested physico-chemical and phytochemical parameters, and Microbiological analysis in Vetiver hydrosol

Experiment

1.1 Physico-chemical Analysis

This analysis is done to analyse the physicochemical, heavy metals, phytochemical and microbial test activity of Vetiver hydrosol.

1. Appearance- The Vetiver hydrosol/herbal water is a liquid form similar to water. That is the reason it is soluble in water.
2. Colour- The vetiver hydrosol is a clean, clear, colourless liquid.
3. Odour- The odour of a vetiver hydrosol is derived from the vetiver roots. The odour of vetiver hydrosol is clean, sweet, earthy roseate woody & slightly smoky. However the aroma changes from season to season with variety in its volatile compounds due to different factors like - temperature, rainfall, soil health etc.
4. Solubility- It is soluble in water and alcohol but insoluble in fixed oils.
5. pH- A pH of 7 is neutral, above 7 the pH is alkaline and below 7 the pH is acidic.
6. Specific Gravity is used to define the weight of a liquid as compared to density at a specific temperature. If the specific gravity for a vetiver hydrosol sample is less than 1, that means the material will flow in the reference substances, and if the water sample is more than 1, that means the material will sink in the reference material.
7. Heavy Metals- this test is done to check for irregular levels of toxic or potentially harmful metals. Heavy Metal Limit test is primarily based on the reaction of metallic impurities with hydrogen sulphide or sodium sulphide in an acidic medium to produce metal sulphide which provides brown coloration.
8. Microbial Test- is necessary and required by many industries worldwide, where human health is at risk of being adversely affected by disease-causing bacterial & virus, and microbial toxins.

Microbiological analysis of a sample is the use of biological, biochemical, molecular or chemical methods for the identification of microorganisms in a sample.

Observations of Phytochemical Tests

Phlobatannin There is no appearance of red colour precipitate, which indicates the presence of phlobatanin.

Saponin Their is formation of stable foam, which indicate the presence of saponin.

Terpenoids There is a reddish brown colouration of the interference was formed to show the presence of terpenoids.

Cardiac Glycosides There is no formation of brown ring, which indicates the presence of cardiac glycosides.

Tannin There is no formation of bluish-black coloration, which indicates the presence of tannin.

Steroids There is presence of yellow-greenish flroescence in H2SO4 layer, which indicates the presence of steroids.

Conclusion

Phytochemical screening of vetiver hydrosol had exposed the presence of saponin, terpenoids,and steroids by positive reactions with relevant reagent. It was observed that the hydrosol of vetiver contained high levels of phenolic content. The finding of this present investigation suggest that this vativer hydrosol is a source of natural antioxidant.