Phytochemical examination and biocidal activity of Teucrium qudrifarium Ham.

Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari-396 450,

Gujarat, India

E-mail : sdixit77@gmail.com

Department of Chemistry, College of Basic Science and Humanities, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and

Technology, Pantnagar-396 450, Gujarat, India

E-mail : oporgchem@gmail.com, anilk_pant@rediffmail.com

Manuscript received online 11 June 2013, accepted 28 March 2014

Phytochemical analysis of hexane extract of Teucrium quadrifarium resulted in isolation of two steroidal compounds. One compound was identified as (24S)-24-ethylcholesta-5,22(E),25-trien-3β-ol. This sterol possesses a 24β- configuration and has previously been reported as constituent of some species belonging to the family Verbenaceae. This compound has also been reported to be present in some other species of Teucrium. This could support the view of necessary reclassification of Lamiaceae and Verbenaceae. The second compound could not be identified due to purity reasons and further spectral analysis. HPLC analysis of aerial parts of T. quadrifarium revealed the presence of protocatechuic acid, p-hydroxy benzoic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and syringic acid. The methanolic extract of T. quadrifarium revealed no contact toxicity against Epilachna vigintioctopunctata. The crude methanolic extract was found ineffective in inhabiting fungus growth and bacteria against the tested organisms. These investigations are of chemotaxonomic significance. Further bioassay investigations are needed to test the potential of T. quadrifarium to be used as a botanical pesticide.