Abstract

MICROSCOPICAL EVALUATION OF LEAF OF BALANITES AEGYPTIACA

Bhupendra Kumar Kumawat*, Ashish Sharma and Tarachand

Abstract

Microscopical investigation was carried out on leaves of Balanites Aegyptiaca (L.) Delile belonging to family Zygophyllaceae, also known as 'Desert date' in English. Literature survey revealed that not much work has been done on this plant, especially on leaves. So we have taken its detailed microscopical studies to prove its appropriate identification. Microscopical study provide information that the leaf exhibits dorsiventaral midrib and smooth, even and thick lamina. The lamina is 350 μm thick. It is isolateral. The marginal part of the lamina is bluntly conical measuring 200 μm thick. Calcium oxlate crystals are abundant in the mesophyll tissue. The crystals are druses and rosette types. The veins form well defined vein-islets of polygonal outline. The vein terminations are well developed and thick, short and straight. At the end of the vein termination occurs a cluster of squarish, thick walled wide sclereids. The leaf is amphistomatic, However, the stomata on the abaxial side are more in frequency than on the adaxial side. The abaxial epidermal cells are small, polygonal and fairly thick walled. The anticlinal walls are straight. The trichomes are unicellular, unbranched and thick walled. Crystal bodies are wide spread in the powder. The crystals are exclusively druses, which are spherical bodies comprising many pointed triangular small crystal units. The above studies provide useful information in regard to its correct identity, evaluation and help to differentiate from the closely related other species of Balanites Aegyptiaca (L.) Delile.

Keywords: Balanites Aegyptiaca (L.) Delile, Microscopical, Pharmacognostic, Powder Microscopy.