ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF n-DOCOSANE FROM HEARTWOOD OF BERBERIS ARISTATA

A considerable number of studies have already been performed involving the roots and stems of Berberis aristata and thus the following investigation has been carried out for the phytochemical study of ethanolic extract of heartwood of Berberis aristata. The heartwood (1.8 kg) of Berberis aristata DC. Var aristata (Berberidaceae) was exhaustively extracted in 95% ethanol using Soxhlet apparatus. The column was prepared for isolating various phytoconstituents using solvents of increasing polarity. On the basis of various spectral data analysis i.e., IR, (HNMR)-H-1, (CNMR)-C-13 and + ve ion FAB MS, one of the isolated phytoconstituents was characterized as an aliphatic hydrocarbon, n-docosane.