ABSTRACT
Objective: To carry out the physicochemical and phytochemical standardization with high performance thin layer chromatography fingerprinting of Piper nigrum L. (P. nigrum) fruits in order to ascertain the standard pharmacognostical parameters of this king of spices. Methods: Many standardization parameters like extractive values, total ash value, water soluble ash value and acid insoluble ash, moisture content, loss on drying and pH values of P. nigrum L. fruits were analyzed. The method of Harborne was adopted for the preliminary phytochemicals screening. Analysis of total phenolic and flavonoid contents, pesticides residues, aflatoxin and heavy metals were also performed. CAMAG-high performance thin layer chromatography system was used for fingerprinting of methanolic extract of P. nigrum L. fruits. Results: The results of phytochemicals testing indicated the presence of carbohydrates, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, alkaloids, proteins, saponins, lipids, sterols and tannins in various solvent extracts. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents in methanolic extract were found to be 1.728 1 mg/g and 1.087 μg/g, respectively. Heavy metals concentrations were found to be within standard limits. Aflatoxins and pesticides residues were absent. Conclusions: The outcome of this study might prove beneficial in herbal industries for identification, purification and standardization of P. nigrum L. fruits.