Abstract

ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENT PLANT PARTS OF DERRIS HEYNEANA (WIGHT AND ARN) BENTH COLLECTED FROM WESTERN GHATS OF MAHARASHTRA

*Aparna Saraf and Pooja Shinde

ABSTRACT

Derris heyneana (Wight and Arn) Benth has exhibited many therapeutic activities. Trace elements are required by human body and any deviation from its optimal limits affects the general well being of any individual. They may be responsible for therapeutic activity attributed to medicinal plants. In the present paper work has been carried out to determine the elemental profile of this plant. Analysis was carried out for individual plant part (leaves, Stem and Root) of Derris heyneana (Wight and Arn) Benth. Elements were analysed by ICP-AES technique. The elements analyzed were Copper, Iron, Zinc, Nickel, Sodium, Cadmium, Lead, Manganese, Chromium and Calcium. The analysis has shown that the metal content of the plant is less than prescribed permissible limits. The elemental concentration in different parts of medicinal plants and their biological effects on human beings are discussed. The obtained data will be helpful for making medicinal formulation and deciding dosage of the medicine made from this plant.

Keywords: Derris heyneana (Wight and Arn) Benth, Elemental composition, ICP-AES.