Volume IV, No. 1: 59–81 (2020) ISSN 2507-9638 THE CLSU INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CLSU-IJST www.clsu-ijst.org Phytochemical Screening of Fish Poison Tree, Barringtonia Asiatica Seed for Potential Biopesticidal Activity and Pharmaceutical Uses 1* 1 1 1 Jomer B. Mangawang , Ma Luz F. Cabatan , Jonah G. Zante , and Chenie Mae T. Bibon 1Department of Agriculture and Aquatic Sciences, Aurora State College of Technology, Bazal Campus, Maria Aurora, Aurora, Philippines Email for correspondence:
[email protected] Submitted March 11, 2020. Accepted June 2, 2020. Published online July 31, 2020. Abstract The study was conducted to identify the phytochemical contents in the seeds of fish poison tree, Barringtonia asiatica (L.) Kurz. The qualitative and quantitative analyses were ascertained using standard conventional methods and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) technique. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, terpenoids, coumarin, and tannins in the seeds. In addition, the seed contained 42 compounds which includes Vitamin E, (43.53%), fatty acid esters (LAEE, 40.30%; PAEE, 10.24%; (E)-9-ODAEE, 6.73%), and sterols (chondrillasterol, 14.20%; lanosterol, 7.29%; and stigmasterol, 7.02%). Furthermore, chemical components such saponins, alkaloids, and cardiac glycosides present in the seed were found positive for biopesticidal activity against Golden Apple Snails. The analysis confirmed that fish poison tree seed is a potential source of bioactive substances that may support pharmaceutical uses and biopesticide production. Key Words: fatty acid esters, fish poison tree, GC-MS, saponins, terpenoids. Introduction Barringtonia asiatica (L.) Kurz, commonly known as fish poison tree and locally named as “boton” in the Philippines, is a common strand of tree located along the seashore serving as shade tree along the boulevard and avenues by the sea (Stuart, 2018).