EXTRACTION AND QUANTIFICATION OF PIGMENTS FROM INDIAN TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL PLANTS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN TREE, SHRUB AND HERB

Chlorophyll and carotenoids are important photosynthetic pigments found in higher plants, cyanobacteria and algae. Carotenoids are responsible for bright red, yellow and orange color in many fruits and vegetables. These two pigments play an important role in plant health. Chlorophyll and carotenoids are reported to contain anticancer properties. Chlorophyll and carotenoids protect skin and help in normal blood clotting, hormonal balance and in deodorization. Chlorophyll and carotenoids have healing effects on oxidation and inflammatory conditions and has great antioxidant properties also. The primary objective of this comparative study is to find out the plant which contains high amount of chlorophyll and carotenoids as these two bioactive compounds has great applications in herbal medicine. In the present course of study, chlorophyll and carotenoids were extracted from the leaves of 21 medicinal plants using 80% acetone and quantified by Arnon method (1949) and Lichtenthaler and Wellburn method respectively. The results revealed that among the 21 medicinal plants under this study, Cocos nucifera (Tree) contains highest amount of total chlorophyll and total carotenoids and can be used as an easy source for the extraction of these important pigments.