<![CDATA[Abstract. Cosmos caudatus Kunth. leaves are rich in secondary metabolites and have the potential to be developed as raw materials for traditional herbal medicine. This study aimed to characterize the simplicia, perform phytochemical screening, extract the bioactive compounds, and monitor the extract of Cosmos caudatus leaves. Simplicia characterization was conducted based on specific and non-specific parameters according to the Indonesian Herbal Pharmacopoeia, Second Edition (2017). Phytochemical screening was performed qualitatively, extraction was carried out by maceration using 96% ethanol, and extract monitoring was conducted using Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC). The characterization results showed moisture content of 7.00%, loss on drying of 8.83%, total ash of 5.36%, acid-insoluble ash of 0.31%, water-soluble extractive value of 30.26%, and ethanol-soluble extractive value of 24.29%, all complying with pharmacopoeial requirements. Phytochemical screening revealed flavonoids, polyphenols, tannins, saponins, quinones, monoterpenes/sesquiterpenes, and steroids/triterpenoids. Extraction of 200 g of simplicia yielded 13.8971 g of concentrated extract with a yield of 6.95%. TLC analysis confirmed the presence of flavonoid and phenolic compounds through positive reactions with aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) and ferric chloride (FeCl₃). These findings indicate that C. caudatus leaf simplicia meets quality standards, contains diverse secondary metabolites, and is suitable for further pharmacological and phytochemical investigations. Abstrak. Daun kenikir (Cosmos caudatus Kunth.) merupakan tanaman yang kaya metabolit sekunder dan berpotensi dikembangkan sebagai bahan baku obat tradisional. Penelitian ini bertujuan melakukan karakterisasi simplisia, penapisan fitokimia, ekstraksi, dan pemantauan ekstrak daun kenikir. Karakterisasi simplisia dilakukan berdasarkan parameter spesifik dan nonspesifik sesuai Farmakope Herbal Indonesia (FHI) Edisi II Tahun 2017. Penapisan fitokimia dilakukan secara kualitatif, ekstraksi menggunakan metode maserasi dengan pelarut etanol 96%, sedangkan pemantauan ekstrak dilakukan menggunakan Kromatografi Lapis Tipis (KLT). Hasil karakterisasi menunjukkan kadar air 7,00%, susut pengeringan 8,83%, kadar abu total 5,36%, kadar abu tidak larut asam 0,31%, kadar sari larut air 30,26%, dan kadar sari larut etanol 24,29%, yang seluruhnya memenuhi persyaratan FHI. Penapisan fitokimia menunjukkan adanya flavonoid, polifenolat, tanin, saponin, kuinon, monoterpene/seskuiterpen dan steroid/triterpenoid. Ekstraksi 200 g simplisia menghasilkan 13,8971 g ekstrak kental dengan rendemen 6,95%. Pemantauan KLT menggunakan fase diam silika gel GF254 menunjukkan adanya senyawa flavonoid dan fenolik berdasarkan respons positif terhadap pereaksi AlCl₃ dan FeCl₃. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa simplisia daun kenikir memenuhi standar mutu, mengandung berbagai metabolit sekunder, dan metode maserasi dengan pelarut etanol 96% efektif menghasilkan ekstrak yang sesuai untuk penelitian lebih lanjut.]]>
