నైరూప్య

Screening of phytochemicals, their quantification and nutritive value of Chlorophytum borivillianum (safed musli)

P.Gayathri, D.Uma

Safed musli (Chlorophytum borivillianum) is an important ayurvedic medicinal plant being known for its use from ancient age. It grows naturally in the thick forests and its use was confined to tribals only. The tubers are said to possess several medicinal values. Hence the present study was attempted to screen and quantify selected phytochemicals (polyphenols, tannins, flavonoids) and nutraceuticals (carbohydrates, protein, fibre, minerals like calcium, phosphorus and iron). Results indicate that the tuber contained various phytochemicals like carbohydrates, protein, phenols, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, saponins and alkaloids. The tuber forms a rich source of protein, carbohydrate, phenols, tannins, flavonoids and minerals like calcium, phosphorus and iron which may attribute to the medicinal and nutritive values of safed musli.