Available online at www.derpharmachemica.com Scholars Research Library Der Pharma Chemica, 2012, 4(4):1749-1753 (http://derpharmachemica.com/archive.html) ISSN 0975-413X CODEN (USA): PCHHAX 1749 www.scholarsresearchlibrary.com A rapid and sensitive extraction of sugars from papaya peels (Carica Papaya) C. S. Chidan Kumar* 1 , R. Mythily 2 and S. Chandraju 2 1 Department of Chemistry, Alva's Institute of Engineering & Technology, Shobhavana Campus, Mijar, Moodbidri 574 225, South Canara District, Karnataka, India. 2 Department of Studies in Sugar Technology, Sir M. Vishweshwaraya Post-graduate Center, University of Mysore, Tubinakere, Mandya-571 402, Karnataka, India. ______________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT Papayas have been part of human diet for ages due to their health benefits. But consumption of these fruits generates outer skin wastes that may lead to environmental pollution. This study was carried out to explore the sugar components of papaya peels. Selected samples are cut into small bits, dried, powdered and were subjected to sensitive extraction procedure developed using the mixture Methanol –Dichloromethane - Water (MDW) (0.3:4:1v/v/v) and MeOH-H 2 O phase was assayed for sugar analysis. The extracted sugars were put through some chemical characterization procedures for purposes of separation and identifying its components. The various standard sugars were spotted using the solvent system n-butanol-acetone-pyridine-water (10:10:5:5, v) in the cellulose layer for TLC analysis which indicated the presence of glucose, maltose, fructose. Key words: Carica Papaya, HPLC ________________________________________________________________________________________ INTRODUCTION Carica papaya contains an enzyme known as papain, present in the fruit, stem and leaves [1]. The milky juice is extracted, dried and used as chewing gum, medicine (digestion problems), and toothpaste and meat tenderizers [2]. Meat can be tenderized by wrapping it in a bruised papaya leaf before it is cooked. Carica papaya contains many biologically active compounds. Two important compounds are chymopapain and papain, which are supposed to aid in digestion[3]. Papain also is used to treat arthritis. The level of the compounds varies in the fruit, latex, leaves, and roots. Papaya has been used for digestive problems and intestinal worms. The softening and disintegrating qualities of papain (generally in alkaline combination, as with borax or potassium carbonate), have been taken advantage of in the treatment of warts, corns, sinuses, and chronic forms of scaly eczema, cutaneous tubercles, and other hardness of the skin, produced by irritation, etc., [4] and injected into indolent glandular tumors to promote their absorption. Green fruits are used to treat high blood pressure and also used as an aphrodisiac. It is useful in round worm infestation, stomachalgia, dyspepsia, constipation, amenorrhoea, skin diseases and general debility [5]. Inspite of all these advantages t consumption of these fruits generates outer skin wastes that could bring about environmental pollution if not properly handled. Towards recycling of vegetative wastes avoiding littering and