STUDY OF THE UNSAPONIFIABLE MATTER OF ORIZA SATIVA HUSK OIL

Abstract

The phospholipids were precipitated from Oriza sativa husk oil by acetone and saponified. The unsaponifiable matter was fractionated with different solvents and each fraction was examined by paper chromatography, where upon a single spot showing a brilliant yellow fluorescence under ultraviolet light was obtained which corresponded to the mobility of 11, deoxy corticosterone. The unsaponifiable matter was treated with alcohol. The soluble portion was identified as β–sitosterol whereas insoluble portion was separated chromatographically over alumina using different solvent systems. The first fraction obtained from petroleum ether eluated was identified as 11, deoxy corticosterone. The second and third fractions collected from petroleum ether : benzene (5 : 1) and benzene yielded ferulic acid and co–prostane respectively.