Secondary plant metabolites, their separation and identification, and role in human disease prevention

Phytoconstituents are the most essential non-nutritive components that are secreted by the plants. They are also known as secondary metabolites which are not utilized by the plants, but used for protective or disease preventive properties to the human. There are many phytoconstituents that isolated and used as drugs. Perhaps, some are also used as a marker compounds which are isolated through fingerprinting techniques and acts as phytochemical standards. Scientific studies have revealed that the isolated phytoconstituents are more effective than crude extracts for therapeutic activity. Hence, the demand is towards primary identification as well as separation of the constituents through various solvent systems, using thin layer chromatographic (TLC) technique. Various chemical tests for identification of functional group of compounds, followed by the TLC solvent system as well as spraying reagents will clearly separate and detect the constituents. These studies will show the further step towards the discovery of the new drug molecules for effective therapeutic efficacy.