PROXIMATE ANALYSIS AND ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION OF SEVENTEEN SPECIES OF CHLOROPHYTUM FROM THE WESTERN GHATS

Abstract

Chlorophytum holds an important position in herbal and Ayurvedic medicines of India. The different elemental constituents at trace levels and phytochemicals specially Saponins from roots of Chlorophytum play an effective role in the medicines prepared. The Proximate composition and elemental content from roots of 17 species of Chlorophytum from the Western Ghats has been analysed. A total of 13 elements N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Na, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Mo and B have been measured. In proximate analysis percentage of moisture, ash, crude protein, crude fats and carbohydrate were determined using standard methods. Highest Saponin content is found in C. gothanense (13.2±0.3%) while lowest in C. filipendulum subsp. amaniense (2.95±0.3%).