Phytochemical

In the last 10 years there has been an increased interest in using techniques involving microwave-assisted extraction and pressurised solvent extraction in analytical laboratories. This review gives a brief overview of both methods, and reports on their application to the extraction of natural products. The influence of parameters such as the nature of the solvent and volume, temperature, time and particle size of the matrix is discussed. Through numerous examples, it is demonstrated that both techniques allow reduced solvent consumption and shorter extraction times, while the extraction yields of the analytes are equivalent to or even higher than those obtained with conventional methods.

Betalains are plant derived natural pigments that are presently gaining popularity for use as natural colorants in the food industry. The growing interest of consumers in the aesthetic, nutritional and safety aspects of food has increased the demand for natural pigments such as betalains to be used as alternative colorants in food products. Although betalains from red beetroot are one of the most widely used food colorant, betalains are not as well studied as compared to other natural pigments such as anthocyanins, carotenoids or chlorophylls. This paper reviews the pharmacological properties, such as antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-lipidemic and antimicrobial activity of betalains derived from sources such as red beetroot, amaranth, prickly pear and red pitahaya, for potential application as functional foods.

Cucurbits are edible crops, belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. They are climbers with reserves in roots and are distributed mainly in tropical zones. They are mostly moist vines and are distributed in both the eastern and western hemispheres. The member of this family are excellent fruit crops having most of the essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals required for the good health of humans. All parts of the Cucurbitaceae plants (leaf, stem, root or tuber, fruit and seeds) are used in the traditional system of medicine. Wide research is going on to search a new active compound and to analyze their medicinal properties. The present review of Cucurbitaceae family deals with the very large amount of updated information of scientific research and report in the field of phytochemistry and pharmacology. In this study, we have documented some of the important plants viz., Mukia maderaspatana, Solena amplexicaulis, Citrullus colocynthis, Citrullus lanatus, Coccinia indica, Cucumis sativus, Cucurbita pepo, Lagenaria siceraria, Luffa acutangula, Trichosanthes cucumerina, Corallocarpus epigaeus, Luffa cylindrica, Momordica charantia, Trichosanthes dioica and Kedrostis foetidissima

The main aim of the present study was to find out antibacterial property of Tinospora cordifolia belonging to the family Menispermaceae. Tinospora cordifolia is an important herb of tropical India in Ayurvedic system of medicines. It has been traditionally used for treatment of diabetes, jaundice, chronic diarrhOea, cancer, dermatological diseases, general debility, and asthma. Tinospora cordifolia was collected from the garden during winter and was identified by the botanical department of Maharaja Sayajirao University, Vadodara. The work was performed using ethanolic and hydromethanolic extracts of the stem. A preliminary phytochemical screening was also performed for qualitative determination of the phytoconstituents. Antibacterial assay was carried out using different strains of bacteria like Escherichia coli (MTCC No.40), Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC No.87), Proteus vulgaris (MTCC No.742), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC No.424), Bacillus subtilis (MTCC No.441), Staphylococcus epid...

Despite the growing interest in the use of bamboo for both food and health-related applications because it provides a rich source of anti-oxidants, there is still a lack of information on the responsible secondary metabolites of the great variety of bamboo species. To extend the knowledge on secondary metabolites of different bamboo species and to link anti-oxidant capacity with the different classes of phenolic compounds that are present in the leaves. Chromatographic profiles of 12 morphological heterogeneous bamboo species from different genera were recorded using HPLC-DAD (diode array detector) and LC-MS/MS. In addition, the in vitro anti-oxidant capacity was evaluated using a variety of anti-oxidant assays (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, Trolox-equivalent anti-oxidant capacity and oxygen radical absorbance capacity). Using partial least square (PLS) analysis as a chemometric method, the anti-oxidant capacity could be linked to specific groups of polyphenols. Flavones and phenolic acids are the two main polyphenolic classes present in the leaf extracts of the 12 selected bamboo species. Luteolin derivatives and phenolic acids were identified as the most potent anti-oxidants. The most abundant classes of phenolic compounds present in a selection of bamboo species were flavone glycosides and phenolic acids. Luteolin flavones and phenolic acids are the main anti-oxidant phenolic compounds in bamboo leaf extract. The information obtained in this study provides further support for the development of bamboo-based anti-oxidant food applications and food supplements.

Despite the growing interest in the use of bamboo for both food and health-related applications because it provides a rich source of anti-oxidants, there is still a lack of information on the responsible secondary metabolites of the great variety of bamboo species. To extend the knowledge on secondary metabolites of different bamboo species and to link anti-oxidant capacity with the different classes of phenolic compounds that are present in the leaves. Chromatographic profiles of 12 morphological heterogeneous bamboo species from different genera were recorded using HPLC-DAD (diode array detector) and LC-MS/MS. In addition, the in vitro anti-oxidant capacity was evaluated using a variety of anti-oxidant assays (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, Trolox-equivalent anti-oxidant capacity and oxygen radical absorbance capacity). Using partial least square (PLS) analysis as a chemometric method, the anti-oxidant capacity could be linked to specific groups of polyphenols. Flavones and phenolic acids are the two main polyphenolic classes present in the leaf extracts of the 12 selected bamboo species. Luteolin derivatives and phenolic acids were identified as the most potent anti-oxidants. The most abundant classes of phenolic compounds present in a selection of bamboo species were flavone glycosides and phenolic acids. Luteolin flavones and phenolic acids are the main anti-oxidant phenolic compounds in bamboo leaf extract. The information obtained in this study provides further support for the development of bamboo-based anti-oxidant food applications and food supplements.

The proximate composition, mineral and phytochemical constituents of Eleusine coracana (finger millets) was evaluated with the aim of providing data that will guide the effective utilization of it under exploited seed in food application. The proximate composition revealed the presence of moisture (6.99%), ash (2.37%), crude protein (10.28%), crude fibre (3.10%), crude lipid (0.83%) and carbohydrate (76.43%). The mineral composition revealed potassium (14.19 mg/g), sodium (6.86 mg/g), copper (0.10 mg/g), calcium (1.13 mg/g), magnesium (6.25 mg/g), zinc (0.22 mg/g), manganese (0.32 mg/g), Iron (0.11 mg/g), lead (0.001 mg/g) and Na/K 0.48. The phytochemi-cal constituents present were tannins, steroids, phenols, alkaloids, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides and balsams. These results revealed that the seeds of Eleusine coracana (finger millet) contained essential nutrients which compete favourably well with those of other seeds in literature and it is suitable for health benefits and for use in herbal medicine to combat different diseases.

Present study aims to evaluate antibacterial efficacy of Bakuchi (Psoralea corylifolia) seed extracts prepared in two different solvents. Antibacterial assay was performed by agar well diffusion method against Gram positive skin pathogens, like Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Gram negative skin pathogens, which included Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus vulgaris and Escherichia coli. Bakuchi seed extract in methanol and diethyl ether exhibited broad spectrum antibacterial activity against skin pathogens, however comparatively bakuchi seed extract in methanol was found to be more promising with maximum zone of inhibition against K. pneumoniae with zone of inhibition 21mm in diameter and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) 2.5mg/ml. These results confirmed the potential of the Bakuchi seed extract in the development of ayurvedic topical skin formulations.

Betacyanins are reddish to violet pigments that can be found in red pitahaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) and red spinach (Amaranthus dubius). This study investigated the impact of sub-fractionation (solvent partitioning) on betacyanin content in both plants. Characterization of betacyanins and evaluation of their antimicrobial activities were also carried out. Betanin was found in both plants. In addition, isobetanin, phyllocactin and hylocerenin were found in red pitahaya whereas amaranthine and decarboxy-amaranthine were found in red spinach. Sub-fractionated red pitahaya and red spinach had 23.5 and 121.5 % more betacyanin content, respectively, than those without sub-fractionation. Sub-fractionation increased the betanin and decarboxy-amaranthine content in red pitahaya and red spinach, respectively. The betacyanin fraction from red spinach (minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] values: 0.78–3.13 mg/mL) demonstrated a better anti-microbial activity profile than that of red pitahaya (MIC values: 3.13–6.25 mg/mL) against nine Gram-positive bacterial strains. Similarly, the red spinach fraction (MIC values: 1.56–3.13 mg/mL) was more active than the red pitahaya fraction (MIC values: 3.13–6.25 mg/mL) against five Gram-negative bacterial strains. This could be because of a higher amount of betacyanin, particularly amaranthine in the red spinach.

According to a recent report nearly 42 per cent Indian kids are
malnourished and stunted. The aim of our project was to develop
nutraceutical products using alfalfa as one of the components to
overcome undernourishment particularly among women and
children. The seeds of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) contain more
nutritional property when compared with other leguminous seeds. It
contains 18.9% of protein when compared with egg (13.1%), milk
(3.3%) and beef (16.5%). This paper reports the investigation results
of phytochemical analysis of alfalfa seed extracts using the procedure
of Sadasivam and Manickam (2009). The presence of proteins,
carbohydrates, saponins, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, flavonoids
etc. was observed in sprouted alfalfa seeds extracted by solvents such
as ethanol, petroleum and chloroform. The presences of proteins,
carbohydrates, saponins, alkaloids etc were confirmed by the present
investigation. Thus the cost effective nutraceutical product containing
alfalfa along with other cereals and pulses would serve the humanity
to fight undernourishment in an easy and economical way.

The present investigation was carried out to determine the phytochemical constituents and their localization histochemically for two endangered plants of Western Ghats such as Hoya wightii ssp. palniensis and Elaeocarpus recurvatus. The antioxidant content of different plant parts and their free radical scavenging activity were also analyzed. This study provides referential pharmaco-botanical and phytochemical information for the conservational importance of these endangered plants.

— This study determined the preservative potential of methanolic leaf and stem bark extracts of Faidherbiaalbida. The bioactive compounds of F. albidaextractswere extracted using methanol and functional compounds were determined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscope(FT-IR). Phytochemical studies revealed the presence of tannins, steroids, terpenes, alkaloids in the leaf while tannins, saponin, alkaloids, steroids, terpenes and cardiac glycoside in the stem bark. FT-IR analysis of methanolic leaf and stem bark extracts confirm the presence of primary amine, alcohol, alkyl halide, alkene, alkane and aldehyde. The FT-IR signals at 1165, 1450, 1750, 2850, 2920 cm-1 were considered as an indicator of the presence of formaldehyde which is a major constituent of a preservative agent. F. albida extracts can serve as alternative preservative agent which support the traditional use of the plant for the preservation of corpse.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical activity
of ethanolic extract of aerial parts of Albizia procera Roxb.
(Benth.) belonging to the family Mimosaceae. The aerial parts
were collected and extract prepared from ethanol by hot
continuous percolation method in Soxhlet apparatus for 24 hrs and
found triterpenoids, carbohydrates, glycosides, phytosterols,
phenolic compounds, saponins, tannins and flavonoids. Each
active compound shows different activities against different type
of diseases like cancer, liver disorders, diabetes, atherosclerosis
and inflammatory diseases etc. It also possesses antioxidant
properties. According to their characteristics, they can be involved
into medicinal plant category.

Introduction
Moringa oleifera and Camellia sinensis are edible plants widely distributed in parts of South East of Nigeria. Both are used as a
beverage and medicinal plant in the treatment of several ailments by alternative medical practitioners. The in vitro-antioxidant
properties of both Moringa oleifera and Camelia sinensis leaves were investigated in the current study.

Hardwickia  binata Roxb.  (Fabaceae)  root  bark  exudate  has  been
traditionally used by tribes of Chitteri hills to cure breast cancer. The
main  objective  of  this  study  is  to  give  a  scientific  validation  to  the
traditional use of  H. binata. The root bark exudates of  H. binatawas
collected  from  Chitteri  hills,  shade  dried,  coarsely  powdered  and
extracted  with  methanol  using  soxhlet  apparatus.  The  Physico
chemical  properties,  qualitative  phytochemical  studies,  quantitative
phytochemical  studies  and  GC-MS  analysis  was  carried  out.  The
cytotoxic  effect  of  methanol  extract  of  H.binata root  bark  exudate
was  studied  against  cancer  cell  lines  by  MTT  assay. The
phytochemical studies indicated the presence of flavonoids, saponins,
phenols and tannins. GC-MS study also revealed the  presence of 22
organic compounds out of which 18 compounds were reported with
various activities and five compounds reported to possess anticancer
activity.  In  vitro  cytotoxic  activity  on  the  cell  lines  showed  more
degree of inhibition against African Green Monkey Kidney Epithelial
cells  (Vero),  Human  cervical  cancer  cell  lines  (HeLa)  and  Human
breast cancer cells (MCF-7).

Management of invasive alien insect, the papaya mealy bug, Paracoccus marginatus is of great importance because it even threatened tree species of economic importance. Secondary metabolites of the plants, including herbs and weeds are used as suitable alternative pesticide/insecticide and Calotropis gigantea is one of an ideal plant species for the extraction of pest resistant molecules. The present study focused on the exploration for an alternate ecofriendly plant based insecticide. The bioefficacy of the extracts of the flowers of Calotropis gigantea tested against papaya mealy bug infestation in Ailanthus excelsa found to have insecticidal activity (90-95%) at 2000 ppm within 24 hours of treatment. Individual phytochemical profiling of active botanicals revealed significant variation among pink and white colour flower for tannin, saponins, free fatty acids and alkaloids quantity. HPLC analysis also revealed high amounts of the bioactive compounds such as syringic acid, syringaldehyde and hydroxy benzoic. The insecticidal potential of the flower extracts of C. gigantea may be due to the presence of the individual phenolic compounds which are identified and quantified in significant amount.

Adiantum Linn. of Adiantaceae family is one of the most common and widely distributed species. Ethnomedicinally, the genus is important and popularly known as “Hansraj” in Ayurvedic System of Medicine. It has been used in cold, tumors of spleen, liver and other viscera, skin diseases, bronchitis and inflammatory diseases. It is also considered as tonic and diuretic. In the present study its four important species, i.e. Adiantum capillus–veneris, Adiantum peruvianum, Adiantum venustum and Adiantum caudatum were collected and extracted with methanol. These extracts were tested for their antimicrobial agents against five gram positive, six gram negative (including multiresistant bacteria Staphylococcus aureus) and eight fungal strains using standard microdilution assay. The maximum activity was exhibited by the methanolic extract of Adiantum venustum followed by Adiantum capillus–veneris, Adiantum peruvianum and Adiantum caudatum. The methanolic extract of Adiantum capillus–veneris had very low MIC value (0.48 μg/ml) against Escherichia coli whereas, Adiantum venustum extract against Aspergillus terreus with MIC of 0.97 μg/ml. Total phenolic constituents of Adiantum species viz. Adiantum venustum, Adiantum capillus–veneris, Adiantum peruvianum and Adiantum caudatum were 0.81% (w/w), 0.83% (w/w), 0.71% (w/w) and 0.52% (w/w), respectively (as gallic acid equivalent); implying that the observed activity could be related to the amount of phenolics.

Three methods widely employed in the evaluation of antioxidant activity, namely 2,2о-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging method, static headspace gas chromatography (HS-GC) and b-carotene bleaching test (BCBT), have been compared with regard to their ...