Phytochemical Analysis of Toxic Plant Chromolaena odorata (Eupatorium odoratum)

Chromolaena odorata King and Rob. (Syn. Eupatorium odoratum Linn.) is a toxic weed that is widespread over many parts of the world including India. This plant is responsible for illness and death of cattle and goats in Karnataka. In this study, four extracts (petroleum ether, chloroform, methanol and aqueous) of Chromolaena odorata leaves were qualitatively analysed for the presence of various phytochemicals.

The petroleum ether extract of Chromolaena odorata leaves showed the presence of steroids, triterpenes, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, diterpenes, and saponins. The chloroform extract showed the presence of steroids, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, and glycosides. The methanol extract showed the presence of steroids, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, lactones, diterpenes, and saponins, and the aqueous extract showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, lactones, tannins, and saponins. The green leaves of the plant tested positive for the presence of nitrate.

Manifestations of toxicity due to Chromolaena odorata depend upon relative abundance of these different toxins.