Phytochemical Quantification and Antioxidant Potential of Curcuma karnatakensis [White turmeric] – An endemic taxon

Author(s): D. H. Tejavathi* and B. S. Sujatha

Abstract: Plants are the rich source of various phytochemicals. Therapeutic values of medicinal plants such as anti-cancerous, antioxidant, antimutagenic and anti-inflammatory are mainly due to the presence of various phytochemicals. Alkaloids, phenols and terpenoids are among the important phytochemicals synthesized by plants whose therapeutic activities are well established. The genus Curcuma is known for its medicinal value since ancient time. The present work is an attempt to analysis the phytochemicals present in rhizomatous rootstock of Curcuma karnatakensis, which is an endemic taxon of the Western Ghats. Rootstocks of C. karnatakensis were collected from two localities having different geographical features. The extraction is carried out by following infusion and centrifugation. Among the various solvents used for the extraction, methanol (90%) was found to be best for the extraction. Standard preliminary tests were conducted to detect various phytochemicals in the extracts. Further, quantification of selected phytochemicals in the samples was carried out following standard methods using UV-Vis spectrophotometer. Among the phytochemicals analyzed in both the samples, phenols were found to be more in quantity than others were. Antioxidant potential of the extracts was also determined by using DPPH, ABTS and NO scavenging assays. The present study is a step forward to identify the medicinal importance of the taxon by analyzing various phytochemicals and antioxidant potential.

PAGES: 916-924  |  46 VIEWS  182 DOWNLOADS