Phytochemical Screening of Selected Ulam: A Preliminary Study

Authors

  • Liliwirianis Nawi Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Pahang Kampus Jengka, 26400 Bandar Tun Abdul Razak Jengka, Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia.
  • Ain Qistina Abdul Rahman Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Pahang Kampus Jengka, 26400 Bandar Tun Abdul Razak Jengka, Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia
  • Amilah Fadhlina Putri Zulikram Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Pahang Kampus Jengka, 26400 Bandar Tun Abdul Razak Jengka, Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia
  • Fatin Shazwani Mohd Fazili Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Pahang Kampus Jengka, 26400 Bandar Tun Abdul Razak Jengka, Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia
  • Nik Shahidatul Haleefa Harmizi Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Pahang Kampus Jengka, 26400 Bandar Tun Abdul Razak Jengka, Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia
  • Nur Alya Aqilah Mohd Farizan Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Pahang Kampus Jengka, 26400 Bandar Tun Abdul Razak Jengka, Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24191/bioenv.v4i3.163

Keywords:

Phenolic , phytochemical , saponin , ulam

Abstract

In Malaysia, ulam refers to plant species commonly consumed raw as fresh vegetables, particularly within the Malay community. Despite their widespread consumption, information on the phytochemical constituents of many ulam species remains limited. This study qualitatively screened seven selected species: Cosmos caudatus, Psidium guajava, Alternanthera sissoo, Leucaena leucocephala, Morinda citrifolia, Garcinia atroviridis, and Oenanthe javanica. Fresh samples were cleaned, oven-dried, ground into powder, and extracted with methanol. The extracts were screened for alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, phenolic compounds, saponins, tannins, and sterols. Phenolic compounds were detected in all seven species, whereas saponins were not detected under the assay conditions used. Alternanthera sissoo and L. leucocephala tested positive for all investigated phytochemical groups except saponins. These findings provide preliminary comparative data on the phytochemical profiles of the selected ulam species. Further chemical characterisation and biological assays, including antimicrobial and antifungal testing, are needed to evaluate their potential biological activities.

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Published

2026-10-30

How to Cite

Nawi, L., Abdul Rahman, A. Q., Zulikram, A. F. P., Mohd Fazili, F. S., Harmizi, N. S. H., & Mohd Farizan, N. A. A. (2026). Phytochemical Screening of Selected Ulam: A Preliminary Study . Bioresources and Environment, 4(3), 47–54. https://doi.org/10.24191/bioenv.v4i3.163

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 3 (2026): Bioresources and Environment

Section

Bioresources

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