Separation and Quantification of Anthraquinones in the Petiole, Leaves, and Roots of Water Hyacinth

Abstract

Water hyacinth constitute nuisance of various degrees and categories but crude extracts of the plants have been used by locals to treat various diseases. Four anthraquinones (chrysophanol, rhein, emodin, aloe-emodin) were extracted from the leaves, petiole and roots of water hyacinth by using a solvent comprising 5% hydrochloric acid (v/v), 5% ferric chloride (w/v), and 10% water in methanol (v/v) for the extractions and a reversed phase chromatographic method was used for the separation and quantification. The mobile phase was water-methanol in the ratio of 70:30. 2% acetic acid was used as a mobile phase modifier. The concentrations of the analytes were significantly different in the three parts under investigation. Also, the concentrations of the analytes in the roots were higher than those of the petiole and those of the petiole higher than those of the leaves; roots (rhein, 38.5 mg/Kg, chrysophannol, 30.5 mg/Kg, emodin, 30.5 mg/Kg, aloe-emodin, 24.5 mg/Kg); petiole (rhein, 22.3 mg/Kg, chrysophannol, 11.5 mg/Kg, emodin, 23.8 mg/Kg, aloe-emodin, 12.8 mg/Kg) and leaves (rhein, 13.5 mg/Kg, chrysophannol, 11.0 mg/Kg, emodin, 13.3 mg/Kg, aloe-emodin, 5.30 mg/Kg). Water hyacinth is a natural source of anthraquinones.