Extraction, Identification and Screening of Brassica oleracea var. italica Plenck (Broccoli) Floret to be an Alternative for Nanoparticle Formulations

Background: Plant or plant extract act as a source of several abundant natural compounds such as flavonoids, phenolics, alkaloids, steroids, tannins, saponins and other nutritional compounds. The extract not only acts as reducing and stabilizing agents due to presences of various secondary metabolites for the bio reduction reaction but, also shows added pharmacological potential. Among others, a cruciferous vegetable like Broccoli is assumed to affect the growth of numerous forms of cancers since it contains multiple chemical constituents such as, Selenium, Sulphoraphene, Glucosinolate and Diindolylmethane which shows anticancer activity. Objectives: The study involves extraction of florets of Brassica oleraceae var. italica which is done by cold maceration process by using different solvents like water, ethanol, methanol and methanol: water (6:4) followed by phytochemical screening. Methods: Broccoli plant was collected from local farmer and Extraction of aerial part (Florets) was done by cold maceration by using various solvents such as water, Et: OH, Water: EtOH (6:4 ratio). The optimization of the extract with solvent selection was done by the observation of color, nature and also by the calculation of percentage yield, solubility concentration and phytochemical screening tests. Further, the optimized extract was subjected to calculate the total phenolic and flavonoids concentration. Results: The study involves collection of Broccoli from Local farmer. The plant was identified and authenticated as Brassica oleraceae var. italica. (Family: Brassicaceae) from Botanical Survey of India, Western Regional Centre, Pune by Ms. Priyanka A. Ingale, Scientist B (Voucher specimen No. RBC-3, BSI/WRC/IDEN. CER./2016/667). Extraction of florets of Brassica oleraceae var. italica which was done by cold maceration process by using different solvents likes water, ethanol, methanol and methanol: water (6:4) followed by phytochemical screening. Conclusion: The present study reflects that the extract of Brassica oleraceae var. italica Plenck shows major presence of phenolic and flavonoids as per phytochemical screening to be an alternative for the nanoparticle formulation.