PROXIMATE ANALYSIS AND PHYTOCHEMISTRY OF DIFFERENT PLANT PARTS OF Myrica esculenta EXTRACTS

The study aimed to determine physicochemical properties and phytochemistry of Myrica esculenta Linn. The extraction was performed with different plant parts of M. esculenta including leaves, seed, root, stem and bark. The physicochemical analysis of M. esculenta extracts was done to evaluate moisture contents, alcohol soluble extractive value, etc. The extracts were subjected to phytochemistry to determine the presence of secondary metabolites. The percentage yield was highest with the methanolic extract of M. esculenta bark i.e. 23.6%. The extract was brown and semisolid. Results of the physicochemical analysis showed that the percentage of alcohol and water-soluble extractives were higher in leaf (35.3%) and stem (24.8%) of M. esculenta extract, respectively. However, moisture content and acid insoluble ash were highest in stem (9.93%) and bark (1.5%) of M. esculenta extract, respectively. Photochemical investigation of different extracts of M. esculenta exhibited the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, carbohydrates, saponins and flavonoids. The plant is very useful for the treatment of ulcers, anaemia, pyrexia, diarrhoea, cough and ENT infections. Thus, investigation of different plants parts of M. esculenta extracts may be very helpful for further research.