DETERMINATION OF NUTRITIVE VALUE FOR CERTAIN SOUTH INDIAN INDIGENOUS SPECIES

Abstract

South India is a rich source for various herbs. Plants are commonly used by Indians as culinary herbs, spices and also as

folk medicine. Knowledge related with the nutritive value of herbs is of the essence to increase their utility. With that aim, we have

selected certain Indian medicinal herbs used by traditional practitioners for various pharmacological activities. Samples of thirteen

Indian medicinal plants were analyzed for their Phytochemical composition and vitamin constituents. The yield of extract from each

plant has also been calculated to increase their utility in pharmaceutical industry. HPTLC analysis of all the extracts has been

carried out. The results reveal that, phytoconstituents like phenol in Nelumbo nucifera (NN), Tannin in Clerodendron inermae (CI),

Carbohydrate in Enicostemma littorale (EL), Vitamin C in Corallocarpus epigaeus (CE) and Vitamin E in Clerodendron inermae (CI).

HPTLC data furnished in the present study might be useful for the authentification of those herbs. In conclusion, the presence of

phytoconstituents and vitamins such as CI, EL, CH, NN and CE is in higher concentration can be exploited by the pharmaceutical

industries and traditional practitioners.