The objective of the present work is to carry out the physicochemical analysis of powder and to investigate the phytochemicals present in petroleum ether, benzene, chloroform and methanol extracts of Aponogeton natans (Linn.) Engl. & Krause leaf with leaf stalks. Physicochemical analysis was done by determining total ash, acid insoluble ash, water soluble ash sulfated ash, extracting value, dry matter, content, moisture content, crude fiber content, foaming index and swelling index, inorganic elements and fluorescence analysis as per the standard methods. Phytochemical investigations were carried out by using standard preliminary phytochemical tests for the different active constituents present in the plant. From the physicochemical investigation, it was found that the Aponogeton natans (Linn.) leaf and leaf stalks have 5.13 ± 0.06, 1.33 ± 0.12, 1.2 ± 0.06, and 7.02± 0.16 as total ash, acid insoluble ash, water soluble ash and sulphated ash respectively. Pet ether, chloroform, ethanol and water extractive value were found to be 2.19 ± 0.29, 9.23 ± 0.06, 15.13 ± 0.15 and 18.27 ± 0.12 respectively. Dry matter content, moisture content, crude fiber content, foaming index and swelling index were found to be 87.53 ± 0.47, 10.15 ± 0.15, 78.20 ± 0.22, Less than 100 and 0.79 ± 0.02 respectively. The inorganic element, such as iron, sulfate, chloride and nitrates were found in the aerial parts. Florescence analysis of the powder were reported which gives the sensitivity of the chemical in different chemical reagents. From the preliminary phytochemical analysis, it was found that the methanol extract contained maximum important phytoconstituents like carbohydrate, protein, phytosterol, glycoside, saponin, flavonoids and polyphenols. The information gathered from the physicochemical and phytochemical study of Aponogeton natans Linn. delivered the parameters which will serve to determine the quality of the plant material in the future. The physicochemical and phytochemical data obtained from the results of the Aponogeton natans mentioned parts might be useful in determining the authenticity of the drugs.
