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There are over 750,000 plants on earth; relatively only a few of these have been studied scientifically. Modern pharmacology looks for one active ingredient and seeks to isolate it to the exclusion of all the others. Most research on plants continues to focus on identifying and isolating active ingredients rather than studying the medicinal properties of the whole plant. The isolation, purification and identification of active ingredients of one of such medicinal plants that was studied is Ficus platyphylla (Moraceae). Phytochemical analysis of Ficus platyphylla was uniquely designed to give professionals on natural products studies and students an overview of the phytochemical compounds, accepted analytical methods for the isolation of pure compounds and the spectroscopic techniques required for their identification. The research protocols adopted in an impecunious system leading to the isolation of a compound for the first time from the bark of Ficus platyphylla is discussed.
About the author
Dr Istifanus, an associate Professor of Organic Chemistry has a PhD, MSc and B.Tech (Hons). A lecturer at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria. He was born in 1964. Married to Mercy and has two children, Hephzibah (daughter) and Ibrahim (son). Authored several articles published in reputed journals.
