Estimation of Total Carbohydrate content by Phenol Sulphuric acid Method from Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms

Eichhornia crassipes is free-floating aquatic macrophytes. For performing normal body function carbohydrate is an essential source for living organisms. Low carbohydrate intake results in muscle breakdown, ketosis, and dehydration. Daily 50-100gms of carbohydrate is recommended. In this study, the total carbohydrate content was detected in the aqueous extract by using phenol- sulphuric acid method. This was a rapid colorimetric method that determines the total carbohydrate present in the sample. The role of sulphuric acid is to convert polysaccharides, oligosaccharides, and disaccharides into monosaccharides. The result showed that the carbohydrate content was 30.50% in the sample solution. So the weed can be utilized as the source of carbohydrate.