2.5.1. Tests for Carbohydrates

MECM (1 g) was boiled with 10 mL of distilled water for 10 min. It was cooled and filtered. The filtrate was used to conduct the following tests:


#### 2.5.2. Tests for Glycosides

MECM was hydrolysed (50 mg) by heating with concentrated hydrochloric acid for 2 h on a water bath. It was filtered and, in the hydrolysate obtained, the following tests were conducted:


#### 2.5.3. Tests for Alkaloids

MECM (2 g) was shaken with an ammonia solution for 20 min and then filtered. The mixture was extracted with petroleum ether and the ethereal extract was acidified with dilute HCl and extracted with 10 mL of water. The aqueous extract was again made ammoniacal and re-extracted with petroleum ether. The ethereal extract was evaporated to dryness and the residue was stirred with 10 mL of dilute hydrochloric acid and filtered. The filtrate was tested carefully with various reagents for the detection of alkaloids as follows:


d. Wagner's test: Filtrate (2 mL) was added with 1 mL of Wagner's reagent and the change in the colour of the solution was noted.
