Abstract

PHARMACOGNOSTIC, PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND PHYTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF CENCHRUS BIFLORUS ROXB. STEM

Swati Chaudhary, Dolly Kumari, Anand Prakash*

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Abstract

Cenchrus biflorus Roxb. popularly called "Bhurat," is a member of the Poaceae family were used as "famine food" during periods of food scarcity and is also employed in folk medicine. Because of its growing importance in ethnomedicine, accurate identification and assessment are essential to preventing adulteration. Macroscopic, microscopic and chemo-microscopic characteristics of the fresh stem were assessed. The physicochemical characteristics and phytochemical screening were conducted in accordance with the standard protocols and this will be utilized for the identification and ensuing standardization of species. Macroscopic results showed that the stem were green in colour, a bitter taste, aromatic odour and cylindrical shape. Chemo-microscopic analyses showed the presence of calcium oxalate, lignin, tannins, a small number of proteins, calcium carbonate, starch and fibres in stem part. The contents of the total ash, water soluble ash, sulphated ash, and acid insoluble ash were in order: 14.1±0.51, 1.83±0.15, 6.13±0.2, 4.36±0.51. The results showed that the moisture content was 7.4±0.37. The presence of steroids, alkaloids, saponins, phenols and glycosides is revealed by a preliminary phytochemical examination. Cenchrus biflorus Roxb. stem pharmacognostic standards were established and function as quality control measures for their identity, purity, and uniformity.

Keywords: Macroscopic, Microscopic, Physicochemical, Phytochemical.