ANALYSIS OF FATTY ACIDS, BASIC ELEMENTS AND PROTEIN CONTENTS OF FLOWERING MEDICINAL PLANTS FOUND IN SINDH PAKISTAN

Abstract

This thesis is divided into different chapters such as introduction, review of literature, material and methods, results and discussion. Twenty eight medicinal plants found in Sindh Pakistan belong to thirteen families such as, Fabaceae: Tamarindus indica L. Pithecellobium dulce Benth., Cassia fistula L., Trigonella foenum-graecum L., Psoralea corylifolia L., Apiaceae: Anethum graveolens L., Apium.graveolansL., Coriandrum sativum L., Foeniculum vulgare Mill., Trachyspermum ammi L., Lamiaceae: Mentha arvensis L., Ocimum basilicum L., Ocimum sanctumL., Lallementia royleana Benth., Asteraceae: officinalis.L., Carthamus tinctorius L., Cichorium intybus L., Calendula Zygophyllaceae: Fagonia cretica L., Tribulus terristris L., Zygophyllum simplex L., Lythraceae: Lawsonia inermis L., Asclepiadaceace: Calotrpis procera. R.Brown. Linaceae: Linum usitatissimum L. Myrtaceae: Syzygium cumini L, Euphorbiaceae: Ricinus communis L. Brassicaceae: Brassica juncea L. Czern. Solanaceae: Withania coagulance Dun and Cucurbitaceae: Cucumis melo L. var. agrestis Naudin were collected from the Sukkar, Nawabshah, Daulat pur Saffan, Saeedabad, Hydrabad, Jamshoro, Dadu, Mehar, Karachi and some were collected from Hamdard University, Karachi. Sindh Pakistan, for the isolation of fatty acids, elements, total protein and storage protein. During the present study the fatty acids isolated and identified in these medicinal plants through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques. Elemental analyses were carried out by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS), Hitachi Ltd. 180-50.S.N5721 and five elements Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Potassium (K), Sodium (Na) and Zinc (Zn) have been determined in these medicinal plants. All these elements are physiologically and biologically very important for the maintenance of human body in the healthy state. Protein determination was done by Kjeldhal method, and further determination storage viprotein used by different extraction method such as Protein Estimation (Seed Storage Protein) by Bradford Assay. This research based study provides the detail information about the fatty acids, basic elements and protein contents present in various important medicinal plants. Medicinal plants are also important for pharmacological research and drug development. Herbal medicines are assuming greater importance in the primary health care of individuals and communities in many developing countries and there has been an increase in international trade in herbal medicine. These medicinal plants used as a alternative sources for human diet after proper processing, about 80% protein are supplied by plants which are nutritionally important to people. Plant proteins mostly Albumin, Globulin, Prolamin and Glutelin present in seeds. Storage proteins are of great nutritional value for mankind and important for its application in food products. Research is related to human health directly and it has great significance from health and nutritional point of views.