Abstract

METHODS USED IN DETERMINATION OF MOISTURE CONTENT OF THE PLANT DILLENIA INDICA L. (ELEPHANT APPLE) FOUND IN RANCHI DISTRICT OF JHARKHAND

Zufeshan Naznin* and Dr. Arun Kumar

Abstract

It is very important to be aware of moisture content parameters. This parameter influence the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of plant materials in various fields, including agriculture, construction, and pharmaceuticals etc. The knowledge of the methods for determining moisture content, particularly on gravimetric and nondestructive techniques. By analysing the role of moisture’s content in product quality, and environmental stability, this research emphasized the significance of knowing moisture content ranging from food preservation to pharmaceuticals industry. This contributes to optimizing the industrial processes and enhancing material performance by providing a deeper understanding of moisture dynamics. Due to presence of abundant phytochemical constituents in plants, medicinal plants always depends on the phytoconstituent found in it. One of the most useful plants named Dillenia indica L. is used in many diseases belongs to the family Dilleniaceae. It is a fruit bearing ever green tree. Its height is approx. 15m. Different parts of this plant are used for many diseases like anticancer, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, diarrhoea, wound healing etc. The fruits are green and woody with a sour taste and contain huge amount of vitamin C. The fruits are the source of making various Indian dishes like chutney, pickles etc. Fruits are also the source of as a delicious food of Elephants hence the plant’s name “Elephant Apple”.

Keywords: Moisture, Dillenia indica L., moisture, gravimetric, phytoconstituents, antimicrobial, antioxidant.