Perceiving Cineole in Cardamoms for Chromatography Practical Procedures

The cardamom or Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton, is a highly valued spice, worldwide. However, insufficient sources of these E. cardamomum as crude drug, involving work on various organic solvents, have limited its potential to be utilized as an active ingredient in sustainable pharmaceutical research education and industry. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to extract E. cardamomum using the maceration method and to screen the presence of phytochemicals using thin layer chromatography (TLC) for practical class. Dichloromethane was utilized as the solvent extraction to macerate the cardamom’s fruits and tea samples. Meanwhile, a mixture of hexane: ethyl acetate (8:2 v/v) and hexane: diethyl ether (8:2 v/v) were prepared as the mobile phase. The standard chemical reference used was 1,8-cineole, also known as eucalyptol. It was found to have the retention factor (Rf) value of 0.82 using a mobile phase, comprising of hexane: ethyl acetate (8:2, v/v). The Rf values of the fruits’ compounds ranging from 0.79-0.82, with purple-coloured spots, were identified as 1,8-cineole, indicating a consistent presence of this compound across the samples. 1,8-cineole is documented for its roles in providing characteristic fragrance and potential health benefits of the cardamoms. In summary, this laboratory protocol was deemed suitable for the chromatography practical procedures, in designing new curriculum for the pharmacy undergraduates.

Cardamomum, Chromatography, Curriculum, Practical, Sustainability

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