Comparative Analysis of Maceration and Soxhlation for the Extraction and Preliminary Phytochemical Screening of the Roots of Cassia fistula L.

Cassia fistula L., also known as ‘Golden shower tree’ or ‘Indian laburnum’ of the Fabaceae family, is a common ornamental tree with various medicinal uses. It is a medium or large-sized deciduous tree found in Asian countries, especially in India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, etc. This species has cultural importance as it is the national tree of Thailand and the flower is considered as the state flower of Kerala. Various medicinal activities are identified on basis of traditional knowledge. This research article enlightens the physicochemical characters, comparative successive solvent extraction, and qualitative phytochemical screening of various extracts of Cassia fistula L. roots. The present study aims to compare successive solvent extraction (maceration and soxhlation) for the estimation of yield and qualitative phytochemical screening of extracts obtained through both extractions. Two methods of successive solvent extraction were done, i.e., maceration and soxhlation using solvents of increasing polarity such as petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol, and distilled water. The phytochemical tests were carried out for each extract using standard methods of analysis and these investigations. The yields of extract were calculated as %w/w in all five solvents. Comparison of extraction methods helps to determine which method gives the maximum yield of extraction and preliminary phytochemical studies help to find out the secondary metabolites present in the extracts from both methods and compare the results.