Phytochemical and Bioactive Components of Lepidagathis barberi Gamble. a steno-endemic plant.

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive investigation of physicochemical, heavy metal analysis of soil, ash properties, macroscopic and microscopic studies, fluorescence analysis, phytochemical analysis, GCMS, FTIR analysis, nutritional, mineral, vitamin, organic acid analysis and bioactive parameters (Total phenol, tannin and Flavonoid) of the whole plant powder of Lepidagathis barberi were determined by using standard protocols. Soil collected from the plant growing area shows brown and sandy loamy in texture. The value of soil pH is (6.48±0.10), temperature (16.5oC), water holding capacity (10.90 ± 0.15), 1.40 ± 0.03 mg/kg bulk density, 2.15 ± 0.00 moisture, and 1.10±0.10 dsm-1 electrical conductivity. The soil sample shows the presence of various essential elements like C, N, P, K, Ca and Mg. Heavy metal concentration shows the presence of Cu, U, Fe, Pb, M, Ni, Ag, Pt, Zn, Fe, Ga and absence of As, Cd, Cr, and Sb. Ash properties of the plant sample revealed loss on drying 14.20%, total ash 17.35%, acid insoluble ash 19.20% and water soluble ash 13.40%. Macroscopic and microscopic studies show the taxonomical and anatomical studies of the whole plant part. In fluorescence analysis, colors like light brown, dark yellow, greenish brown, white, and dark brown were emitted under UV light at 366nm. In phytochemical analysis, isopropanol extract showed the presence of resin, carboxylic acid, tannins, flavonoid, carbohydrates, glycosides, saponification, protein, phenol, saponin, gum, flavonoglycosides, and alkaloids qualitatively compared to the other solvents. GC-MS analysis showed 26 major peaks with the retention time varying from 2.33 to 31.32 minutes were recorded. FTIR analysis showed 31 distinct peaks, indicating the presence of bioactive compounds, namely flavonoids, phenolics, alcohols, esters, alkanes, and aromatic compounds. Nutritional analysis showed the presence of ash 0.9%, crude fiber 50%, moisture 50%, protein 30.8mg/g, reducing sugar 30.1mg/g, and lipid 1.7mg/g. Mineral analysis showed the presence of sodium (24.62 mg/L), potassium (0.43 mg/L), phosphorus (0.05 mg/L), and a notable amount of zinc (10.7 mg/kg).  Vitamin analysis showed the presence of Vitamin D₂ (2.02 mg/kg), Vitamin E (72.50 mg/kg), Vitamin K₁ (80.27 mg/kg), Vitamin A (198.31mg/kg), and Vitamin C (1.2 mg/g). Organic acid confirmed the presence of oxalic acid (91.25 mg/kg), tartaric acid (92.63 mg/kg), and pyruvic acid (4.81 mg/kg), while malic acid, acetic acid, and citric acid were below detectable limits. The total phenol content was about 24.3 mg/g gallic acid equivalents, the Total tannin content was 81.04mg/g tannic acid equivalents, and the Total flavonoid content was 30.1 mg/g quercetin equivalents, respectively. The present findings indicate that Lepidagathis barberi holds promising phytochemical, nutritional and bioactive properties, suggesting its potential for future development as a medicinal plant; however, further detailed studies are necessary to validate its therapeutic applications.