AN EXTRACTION PROCEDURE FOR THE SECONDARY METABOLITES OF THE GORGONIAN, ECHINOMURICEA INDICA

摘要

A method for the extraction of the secondary metabolites present in the black type gorgonians, E.indica was devised. The efficiency of the present method was better (2.71%) than that described by Pawlik^f a/(1987) (2.14%). Di-ethyl-(dierwas found to be the best solvent for the extraction of the Secondary metabolites from the black type gorganian, E. indica. Thin layer chromatogram confirmed the presence of a steroid compound in the extract and its RF value (0.455) was similar to lliat of the cholesterol (0.46).