Abstract

PHARMACOGNOSTICAL STUDY OF KAPIKACHHU SEED (MUCUNA PRURIENS (L.) DC.) CULTIVATED THROUGH HYDROPONICS SYSTEM - DEEP WATER CULTURE (DWC)

Dr. Kaushik Nakum*, Dr. Dharmendra P. Jani

ABSTRACT

Background - Kapikachhu (Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC.) is a widely recognized medicinal plant in Ayurveda, valued for its broad therapeutic applications. It is commonly employed in managing Parkinson’s disease, neurological disorders, infertility, and is also revered as a powerful rejuvenating tonic. Conventionally, Mucuna pruriens is propagated in soil-based agricultural systems; however, the adoption of advanced soilless cultivation techniques such as hydroponics presents a sustainable alternative to mitigate constraints associated with soil-borne pathogens, yield fluctuations, and the progressive reduction of cultivable land resources. Among hydroponic methods, Deep Water Culture (DWC) is a hydroponic technique in which plant roots are continuously immersed in a nutrient-enriched aqueous solution, providing essential nutrients and oxygen directly to the roots, thereby ensuring optimal growth and enhancing phytochemical profiles. Materials and Methods - For the present study, seed (wildvariety) of Kapikachhu (Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC.) has been selected as herbal drug. A thorough study has been carried out of seed (wild variety) of Kapikachhu (Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC.) Cultivated Through Hydroponics - Deep Water Culture (DWC). including its macroscopical and microscopical (pharmacognostical) studies. Observation & Result - In the present study Pharmacognostical Identification of Seed (wild variety) of Kapikachhu (Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC.) was done which included macroscopical and microscopical features. The Seed of Kapikachhu (Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC.) Cultivated Through Hydroponics - Deep Water Culture (DWC) is creamish white, oval, smooth in touch and odourless. In the transverse section of the seed, several features were observed, including in TS of Testa Epidermal cell, Bearer cell, Parenchymatous cell, starch grain and in TS of cotyledon Epidermal cell, Bearer cell, Parenchymatous cell, starch grain and oil globules. Conclusion: The structures which are observed here help in correct identification of seed of Kapikachhu (Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC.) In this study, Kapikachhu Seed (Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC.) Cultivated Through Hydroponics - Deep Water Culture (DWC) were found to be (Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC.). botanically compared with standard reference. No new structures were found during microscopy.

Keywords: Hydroponics, Deep Water Culture (DWC), Kapikachhu (Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC.), Medicinal plants, Cultivation.