Abstract

STUDY OF FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS IN COSTUS SPECIOSUS (J. Koenig) Sm.

Sheeza Charania and Meenakshi Sudhir Vaidya*

Abstract

The plant Costus speciosus (J. Koenig) Sm. is commonly called as Spiral ginger. According to Bentham and Hooker, the plant was placed in the family Scitaminae Sub-family: Zingiberaceae. This spice is medicinally important and used as cure for diabetes. Bruised leaves are applied in fever. The plant possesses purgative, anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effect, anti-fungal activities and is used in gout rheumatism and bronchial asthma. In the present study the fluorescence study of powder of Costus was undertaken. Fluorescences under ultraviolet light and visible light are observed and can be used as a tool for identification of the powdered drug. The results indicate the presence of bioactive molecules. With these tests it can be said that there is a potential for this plant drug to be used as medicine.

Keywords: Costus speciosus, Scitaminae, Zingiberaceae, fluorescence analysis, ultraviolet light, bioactive