Determination of functional groups and phytochemical properties of various crude extract from Peperomia pellucida leaves

Since prehistoric times, medicinal plants, often known as medicinal herbs, have been identified and employed in traditional healing practices. Because of the existence of phytochemical ingredients, medicinal plants synthesise hundreds of chemical compounds and are a key source of molecules with therapeutic qualities. Wild herb leaves were taken from the green region of Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, specifically Peperomia pellucida, also known as 'sireh cina' in Malaysia. The dried wild herb leaves were crushed. For 48 hours, the powdered materials were treated to a solid-liquid extraction method utilising hot water and ethyl acetate as a solvent. For all examined samples, a phytochemical screening test of hot water and ethanolic leaves extract confirmed the presence of antioxidant chemicals such as flavonoid and phenolics. Meanwhile, resins were only found in ethanolic leaves extract, and steroid was not found in any of the studied samples. Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to study the organic component in greater depth by evaluating the chemical ingredients in the crude extracted samples of ethyl acetate. The study of FTIR spectra revealed that the hydroxyl group, alkanes, alkyl groups, benzoic compounds, and phenols were the primary functional groups. The identification of functional groups indicates a possible source of antioxidants and highlights a potential prospect for the development of natural products from these wild plants in the drug discovery business.