Characterisation and Comparison of Aliphatic Hydrocarbons Extracted from Different Mangrove Species in Cochin estuary (South West Coast of India)

The samples are collected from Malippuram (10.02⁰ N, 76.21⁰ E), Cochin estuary (South West Coast of India). The area contains various mangrove species, in which we have collected 4 common species (Acanthus Ilicifolis, Avicennia Marina, Avcennia Officianalis and Acrosticum Aurum) among the dominant species in the area. The leaves of these collected samples were freeze dried, grinded and extracted with solvents using standard protocols. The organic layer separated is used for analysing hydrocarbon (n-alkanes and n-alkenes) using Column Chromatography. Recent study (Gireeshkumar et al., 2015) revealed that, long-chain n-alkanes derived from higher plants predominated the inner part of the estuary, while short-chain n-alkanes derived from planktonic sources predominated the bar mouth region. Mangroves are one among the world's most productive ecosystem and form an important part of the coastal and estuarine environment. Living at the interface between land and sea, the mangrove plants have morphological and physiological adaptations to survive in harsh saline environment. Mangroves produce organic carbon well in excess of the ecosystem requirement and contribute significantly to global carbon cycle. They have enormous ecological value. This is the first report of n-alkanes and n-alkenes from these major species in the study area. The qualitative aspects of this study completed and the quantitative aspect is in progress.

The stem and root of the collected samples are preserved for future extraction studies.