International Journal of Advanced Computer Research, Vol 7(33) ISSN (Print): 2249-7277 ISSN (Online): 2277-7970 http://dx.doi.org/10.19101/IJACR.2017.733022 213 A framework for harmla alkaloid extraction process development using fuzzy- rough sets feature selection and J48 classification Farid A. Badria 1 , Mohamed M. Abu Habib 1 , Nora Shoaip 2 and Mohammed Elmogy 2* Pharmacognosy Department Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt 1 Faculty of Computers and Information, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt 2 Received: 23-August-2017; Revised: 03-November-2017; Accepted: 06-November-2017 ©2017 ACCENTS 1.Introduction Peganum harmala (Zygophyllaceae) is an herb native to the dry area of the Mediterranean east to northern India. The plant originated in Central Asia, but now grows wild in Africa, Middle East, India, South America, Mexico, and Southern USA [1]. Seeds of Peganum harmala are growing widespread in Egypt. They are used as an anti-hemorrhoid and central nervous system (CNS) stimulating agent in folk medicine. Seeds stimulate the CNS, cause paralysis and are poisonous in strong doses [2]. Harmine and the resembled alkaloids are hallucinogens, serotonin antagonists, short-term monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors and CNS stimulants. Little doses (25-50 mg) have a cerebral stimulant effect. Sometimes, it may cause drowsy state for half hour. Bigger dosages up to 750 mg may cause hallucination. Its intensity changes depending on persons using it [3]. *Author for correspondence These alkaloids have a broad spectrum of pharmacological actions, including binding to benzodiazepine receptors, convulsive or anticonvulsive actions, tremor genesis, anxiolytic and behavioral effects, anti-oxidative action, and immunomodulatory effects. Peganum harmala is one of the plants, which purifies the atmosphere, because of its antiseptic property. It is usually used when the epidemic appears by burning the seeds and use its smoke. The burning process is done by placing it on burning coal. In an epidemic, the air becomes septic and pathogens spread out. In old age, it was presumed that the bad smell of the smoke could get rid of the ghosts. Peganum harmala seeds also produce a red dye. So, it was a source of the richly colored textile dye. Various fractions of Peganum harmala and its alkaloids (Harmine, Harmaline, Harmol, and Harmalol) has been reported to have Antimicrobial activity. Harmaline, which is the major alkaloid Research Article Abstract Medicinal plants as the pivotal source of alternative and complementary medicine have recently supported some hopes in alleviating of symptomatology associated with many diseases. The optimization and development of an efficient method for extracting effective medical substances from wild plants have great importance from both medical and economic prospectives. Therefore, the growing significance of using machine learning algorithms has become an influential positive factor in pushing exploration the pharmacological activities from medicinal plants. Peganum harmala is a widespread species growing as a wild plant in Egypt. It is proved to be useful as an anti-hemorrhoid, anthelmintic, and central nervous system (CNS) stimulating agent in folk medicine. Alkaloids, mainly harmine, harmaline, harmol, and harmalol, represent the major active constituent of the seeds of Peganum harmala. In this paper, a real-world case study of Peganum harmala involving extraction of alkaloids from its seeds using machine learning algorithms is presented. Therefore, dried powdered seeds of Peganum harmala were extracted using 70% methanol by the conventional maceration method. The extraction process was carried out 80 times for three runs using 11 variables, including the volume and concentration of organic solvent, HCl, temperature, and PH. This study proposes a fuzzy rough technique with J48 classification model to find the best extraction procedure for the Peganum harmala. The accuracy is evaluated using 10-fold cross-validation. The experimental results of this proposed intelligent model showed a better understanding tool to present the scientific rule for increasing harmala alkaloid yield range to be around 5%. Keywords Peganum harmala, Extraction process, Fuzzy-rough sets, Feature selection, J48.