EVALUATION OF PHYSICOCHEMICAL, MICROBIAL COUNT AND QUANTITATIVE PARAMETERS OF PTERYGOTA ALATA (ROXB.)

Abstract

Pterygota alata (Roxb.) R. Br., family: Sterculiaceae is a tall
evergreen tree, commonly known as Buddha Coconut in English, Tula in
Bengali and Kodaittondi in Tamil, found in India and South East Asia. Seeds
are edible and the oil obtained from the seed is nutritious. It is used as the
substitute of Opium. The present study was carried out to establish
Microbial count, quantitative studies, physico-chemical parameters along
with preliminary phytochemical screening of different extracts of bark of
Pterygota alata plant.Preliminary phytochemical screening of various
extracts revealed the presence different phytoconstituents, like phenolic &
tannins, glycoside,carbohydrates, flavonoid, steroids,protein and amino acid
in different extracts. The physico-chemical parameters such as water,
methanol, chloroform and petroleum ether extractive values are (15.05,
16.91, 11.75 and 8.95w/w respectively) and crude fibre content is
(18.3w/w), volatile content, foaming index, bitterness value and swelling
index were studied. These studies will be helpful in developing standards
for quality, purity and sample identification of this plant.