MINOR PROJECT

My research question is about the Caesalpinia genus in Thailand. Caesalpinia sappan is one of the popular plants in this genus that used to promote blood circulation in Thai traditional medicine. It contains an important compound called brazilin in their heartwood. The samples from different parts of Thailand at least 15 places will be test to confirm about the brazilin content.

Researchers who have looked at this subject are Zanin et al. and Gilbody et al. They reported that brazilin constituent is an important major compound of Caesalpinia sappan heartwood.

Zanin et al. (2012) argues that brazilin is a natural pigment commonly used as a dye and found in Caesalpinia sappan L., where is particularly abundant (8-22% w/w). The compound brazilin is homoisoflavonoids, collectively isolated from alcoholic extraction of heartwood of Caesalpinia sappan L. 

Gilbody et al. (1901) argues that there is long history about the substance called “Brazilin” that is the major compound of Caesalpinia sappan wood. Since the year 1190, brasil from dye wood was mentioned by Kimichi (Spanish writer). In 1500, this plant was discovered in South America and credible that the named the northerly section Brazil. In the East Indies, central and South America, the Antilles and Africa, the brazil- wood tree (Leguminosae, species Caesalpinia) is widely classified in the tropics. The wood is very hard and deep red colour. It rapidly changes to red when exposed the air.

Debate centers on the basic issue if brazilin content is an important compound from Caesalpinia sappan  heartwood. This compound may used to confirm their benefit that is to promote blood circulation. So, it is important  to study about brazilin that extract from sappan wood in every part of Thailand.

My research will be closer to both Zanin and Gilbody at the point of brazilin content which is extract from heartwood of Caesalpinia sappan. The study of Zanin and Gilbody were tested in different places and times, but their result showed that brazilin was contained in the heartwood of Caesalpinia sappan. So, I will be try to extracting the sappan's heartwood from every part in Thailand to confirm about the brazilin compound also.

Hopefully, my contribution will be confirm that brazilin content is contain in the heartwood of Caesalpinia sappan in every part of Thailand. It will be support that people who consume this plant obtain fully benefits such as to promote their blood circulation and antioxidant.

References List
            

      Zanin, J.L.B., Carvalho, B.A., Martineli, P.S., Santos, M.H., Lago, J.H.G., Sartorelli, P.,  Viegas, C., and Soares, M.G. Review The Genus Caesalpinia L. (Caesalpiniaceae):  Phytochemical and Pharmacological Characteristics. Molecules 17 (2012): 7887-7902.

      

      Gilbody, A.W., Perkin, W.H., Yates, J. Brazilin and Haematoxylin PartI. J. Chem. Soc. 79 (1901): 1396.