Comparative Phytochemical Profiling of Piper Betle and Piper Longum: A Qualitative and Quantitative Approach

The genus Piper includes several medicinally significant species that are extensively utilized in traditional healthcare practices due to their diverse secondary metabolites and associated biological activities. In the present study, a comparative qualitative and quantitative phytochemical evaluation of Piper betle and Piper longum was carried out to assess solvent- and organ-specific variations in phytoconstituent distribution. Leaves, stems, and roots of both species were subjected to Soxhlet extraction using solvents of different polarities, including hexane, ethyl acetate, chloroform, methanol, and water. Extraction efficiency varied markedly with solvent polarity and plant part, with aqueous extracts yielding the highest extractive values, whereas methanolic extracts exhibited greater phytochemical diversity. Preliminary qualitative screening revealed the presence of major classes of secondary metabolites such as carbohydrates, terpenoids, steroids, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins, predominantly in methanolic and aqueous fractions compared to non-polar solvent extracts. Based on the qualitative profile, methanolic extracts were selected for quantitative estimation of carbohydrates, steroids, and terpenoids using established colorimetric methods, employing glucose, cholesterol, and linalool as reference standards. Quantitative results demonstrated significant interspecific and organ-dependent variations, with stem and root extracts of Piper longum showing comparatively higher levels of the quantified phytochemicals than Piper betle. Thus, the findings emphasize the phytochemical potential of both Piper species and highlight the influence of extraction solvent and plant organ on metabolite composition. This comparative study provides baseline data that may facilitate future bioactivity-guided investigations and detailed compound-level characterization for therapeutic and nutraceutical applications.