Effects of Different Watering Regimes on the Phytochemical Components and Physiological Parameters of Leaf Methanolic Extracts of Aloe Vera and Cassia Tora

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of varying watering regimes on the 
phytochemical composition and physiological responses of Aloe vera and Cassia tora 
leaf extracts prepared using methanol. The primary objective was to evaluate how 
different water stress levels affect the production of bioactive compounds and 
physiological parameters within these medicinal plants. Four distinct watering 
treatments were applied: daily watering (control), and extended intervals of 2, 4, and 
8 days between watering cycles. Standard phytochemical and physiological assays 
were employed to detect and quantify the presence of key secondary metabolites, 
including alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, phenolics, and terpenoids. Both 
qualitative and quantitative analyses were conducted to characterize the chemical 
profiles of the methanolic leaf extracts under each watering condition. The 
qualitative screening identified major phytochemical groups, while quantitative 
analysis measured their relative concentrations in response to water availability. 
Furthermore, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis was 
conducted to identify specific phytoconstituents present in the extracts of A. vera 
and C. tora. The findings reveal that water stress significantly influences both the 
concentration and diversity of phytochemicals in the plants studied, with potential 
implications for their medicinal efficacy and adaptive responses under drought 
conditions.