FTIR and GC‐MS Based Phytochemical Characterization and Antioxidant Activity Evaluation of Digera muricata (L.) Mart.

The present study investigated the phytochemical profile, total phenolic and flavonoid content, and antioxidant potential of different parts of Digera muricata (L.) Mart. Phytochemical characterization was performed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). Extracts were prepared using Soxhlet extraction with methanol, chloroform, and water as solvents. Phytochemical screening indicated that the methanolic leaf extract contained the highest concentration of phytoconstituents. Quantitative analysis showed that phenolic content was higher than flavonoid content in all plant parts, with methanolic leaf extract exhibiting the highest levels of both phenolics (264.78 ± 7.86 mg GAE/g) and flavonoids (188.87 ± 1.36 mg QE/g). FTIR and GC‐MS analyses revealed the presence of compounds such as phenols, alcohols, alkanes, carboxylic acids, esters, and thiols. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH, ABTS, and H 2 O 2 radical scavenging assays, with the methanolic leaf extract showing the highest activity across all methods. A strong positive correlation ( r = 0.99) was observed between phenolic/flavonoid content and antioxidant activity. These findings support the potential of D. muricata as a source of natural antioxidants.