Preliminary Phytochemical Profiling of Extracts from Unidentified Cactus Species

The phytochemical composition and extraction efficiency of an unidentified cactus species were investigated using eleven solvents with varying polarities. The study demonstrates that both the yield and the profile of extracted bioactive compounds are strongly dependent on solvent choice. Highest yields were achieved with benzene (2.98%) for moderately polar compounds and methanol (2.79%) for high-polarity compounds, while less polar solvents like chloroform (1.73%) and hexane (1.77%) were less effective. Extraction kinetics also showed variation, with benzene and petroleum ether providing the shortest extraction times, highlighting a trade-off between speed and final yield. Qualitative analysis revealed a diverse range of secondary metabolites. Alkaloids and glycosides were consistently present in all organic extracts but absent in the aqueous extract, indicating their nonpolar to moderately polar nature. Conversely, reducing sugars were universally present across all solvent types, while protein detection was selective, observed only in acetone and petroleum ether extracts. Flavonoids, phenolic compounds, terpenoids, and triterpenoids were widely detected, with varied solubility patterns. Confirmed presence of coumarins, quinones, saponins, resins, and oils further underscores the species' rich chemical diversity. These findings confirm that selective solvent extraction is a critical factor for isolating specific bioactive constituents and provide a foundation for future pharmacological and characterization studies.