INVESTIGATION OF PHYTOCHEMICALS FROM CAMELLIA KISSI LEAVES

Abstract

Camellia kissi is a variety distributed in tropical and subtropical regions, including Vietnam. Although discovered and described early, the scientific reports on this specie are minimal. The lack of scientific information is an obstacle to the conservation, exploitation, and rational use of the object. By performing Ciulei's method, the leaf powder was analyzed for active phytochemicals by being separated into three groups of extracts with different polarity solvents. The plant extract was further investigated for the prominent content of Camellia species, the phenolic compounds, by the Folin-Ciocalteu reaction. After that, the total flavonoid content was determined by carrying out an aluminum complexation reaction. The results showed that C. kissi was strongly positive for phenolic compounds (431,580 ± 71,540mgGAE/g), flavonoids (417,820 ± 36,755mgQE/g). In addition, the plant also harbored other compounds such as alkaloids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, and reducing compounds.