PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOGNOSTICAL EVALUATION OF STEM BARK AND FRUIT POWDER OF SPANISH CHERRY TREE

Abstract

The aim of the present work is to evaluate the phytochemical and pharmacognostic standard of bark and fruit of Mimusops elengi L. (Spanish cherry tree). The result of phytochemical screening revealed that bark and fruit contain saponin, terpenoids, flavonoids, steroids, tannins, phenols, carbohydrates, proteins while absences of alkaloids. Total ash content was higher in bark followed by ripe and unripe fruit while acid insoluble ash was higher in bark followed by unripe and ripe fruit. Water soluble ash was higher in bark followed by ripe and unripe. Foaming index was found to be less than 100 while swelling index was higher in bark. Fluorescence and organoleptic evaluation was also carried out. Thus, the result of the present study is useful in the identification of crude drug and help in preparation of monograph of the plant.