Cuantificación de los Alcaloides de Berberis halliii Carrasquilla. Sector La Josefina, San Isidro del Cantón Guano, Provincia de Chimborazo

Abstract

The identification and quantification of the alkaloids of Berberis halliii, a shrub found in abundance in the San Isidro Canton Guano Sector of the Province of Chimborazo, was investigated. By means of the physical-chemical study, performing Thin Layer Chromatography and applying classical qualitative methodologies such as Phytochemical Screening; and modern techniques such as UV Spectroscopy, three compounds of alkaloidal nature were isolated from the ethanolic extract of Berberis halliii roots. As a result, three secondary metabolites were quantified and identified as Berberine, Lambertine, and Calafatina, from a common benzylisoquinoline base. Of the alkaloids Berberine, Lambertine and Calafatina, Berberine is the alkaloid that has applications of great interest, from the therapeutic point of view is an antitumor, and in the industrial field due to its dyeing properties is projected as a natural dye in the range of yellows. It is concluded that the plant world constitutes a source of potentially important molecules; this research provides a reference base, which indicates the alkaloids present in one of the varieties of Ecuadorian Berberis. It is recommended that the identified substances be applied in the fields of Phytotherapeutics and in the Industrial field, contributing to the development and entrepreneurship in our society.