Rapid Screening of Some Plant Poisons by TLC using a Novel Solvent System-A Forensic Approach

The forensic scientists are regularly confronted with the challenge of detection of the specific plant toxins in the exhibits viz. visceral tissues, plant materials, crime scene related exhibits, pharmaceutical preparations, industrial formulations and traditional medicines to confirm their presence which might be the result of homicide, suicide, negligence, criminal intent for loss of life etc. Plant poisons such as Abrus Precatorius, Strychnos Nux-Vomica & Plumbago Zeylanica have been used in instances of death of human beings, cattles, aquatic life etc. Thus, the need has been felt for ensuring fast and reliable detection of these plant poisons. Hence, we have developed a simple, rapid, adaptive, economical and selective thin layer chromatographic method using a novel solvent system for the qualitative detection of the toxic constituents of these plant poisons. We detected the active constituent of these plants in spiked visceral tissues by using an efficient extraction method. The proposed novel solvent system comprising toluene, chloroform and methanol can be used in routine analysis for successful rapid screening of these plant toxins by the forensic laboratories. Detection of all the three toxins by using a common solvent system has not been reported to the best of our knowledge.