Author: L. Syafnir, D. Juanda, I. O. Damayanti, and T. M. Fakih

DOI: http://doi.org/10.31788/RJC.2026.1919493

Dekopon (Citrus reticulata) peel contains a wide range of secondary metabolites whose distribution variesaccording to solvent polarity. This study aimed to characterize the metabolite profiles of n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and96 percent ethanol extracts using thin-layer chromatography and bioautography-based visualization. TLCanalysiswith two different mobile phases enabled clear separation of both polar and non-polar constituents, with terpenoidspredominantly observed in the n-hexane extract and flavonoids and polyphenols more concentrated in the ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts. Derivatization with AlCl3, FeCl3, H2SO4, and vanillin–sulfuric acid confirmedthepresence of major phytochemical classes and revealed solvent-dependent migration patterns across thechromatographic plates. Fluorescent bands under UV 254 nm and 366 nm further demonstrated the structural diversity of metabolites present in each extract. The use of multiple visualization reagents allowed effectiveidentification of terpenoid-, flavonoid-, and phenolic-rich regions, highlighting distinct chemical characteristicsamong solvent fractions. The integration of TLC and bioautographic techniques provided a comprehensive overviewof metabolite distribution and enhanced the resolution of compound class differentiation. Taken together, thefindings demonstrate that dekopon peel is chemically rich in diverse secondary metabolites, and that TLC-basedprofiling is a valuable tool for rapid and systematic characterization of plant-derived compounds.

Keywords: Dekopon (Citrus reticulata); Natural Product; Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC); TLC–Bioautography; Phytochemical Analysis.