Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF INSULIN PLANT

Shivanand S. Bhat, B.L. Manjula, Devilal N. Watakhere and Sanjeet Kumar

Abstract

Costus speciosus (J.Koenig) Sm. is a tuberous plant commonly available in wetlands and near water bodies throughout Odisha state which is used as food and for medicinal purposes. The tribal communities of state use the rhizome to cure joint pain, skin infections and consume as nutraceutical. The above claims are supportive of the fact that the rhizome might have antioxidant potential and rich in diverse secondary metabolites. Keeping this in view an attempt has been made to evaluate the bioactive compounds present in the plant parts and antioxidant potential in order to validate the tribal claims. Results revealed that the plant parts are rich in phenolic compounds and have antioxidant potential.