Abstract

Vasudevan Poornima and Muthusami Jeyam*

ABSTRACT

The present study was designed to evaluate the proximate, mineral contents and phytochemical composition of aerial parts of Ammannia baccifera L. using standard analytical procedures. Results of the analysis showed the presence of carbohydrates (1.3%), total proteins (5.0%), crude fibre (26.4%), crude lipid (17.6%), free fatty acids (1.97%), total ash (10.5%) and moisture (39.4%). The mineral composition analysis showed substantial amount of important major and minor elements in order of Ca>K>Mg>Na>Fe>Mn>Zn>P> Cu. Elements such as Be, Ag, As, Pd and Hg were not detected. Li, Co and Cr were present in trace quantities in ppm of 0.43, 0.56 and 2.90, respectively. Potentially toxic elements were not detected. The presence of essential elements in the medicinal herb could enhance the curative process of ill health. The phytochemical screening of methanol extract of aerial parts revealed the presence of Phenolic compounds, Tannins, Flavonoids, Flavonol glycosides, Cardiac glycosides, Phytosterols, Terpenoids, Vitamin C, Coumarins and Saponins and absence of alkaloids. The presence of phytochemicals such as phenols, flavonoids and terpenoids suggests the antioxidant potential of the plant which could be used in drug formulation. The outcome of the study suggests that Ammannia baccifera has very good medicinal potentials and also meet the standard requirements for drug formulation and serve as a potential source for therapeutic purpose.