Isolation and Characterization of Tannins from <i>Euphorbia hirta</i>

Abstract

The aim of the study is to isolate and characterize tannins from Euphorbia hirta using various analytical techniques. Approximately 300g sample of E. hirta was extracted with 70% acetone, yielding 19mg of crude extract. Column chromatography and Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) were employed to isolate and purify the tannin fractions. UV-Visible spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) analysis were used to quantify and elucidate the structure of the isolated tannins. The results showed a high total phenolic content of 43.47 mg TAE/g, with the presence of functional groups typical of polyphenols (OH, C-C,C=O,C-O,C-H). Although minor impurities were detected, the findings indicated a high amount of tannins present, sufficient for pharmaceutical formulations and drug development. Accurate structural determination and quantification of tannins facilitates reliable research and development, enabling in-depth studies of their pharmacological effects and potentially informing the creation of novel treatments.