Biochemical Evaluation of Ash Value of Some Medicinal Plants of Genus Terminalia (Combretaceae) of Marathwada Region in Maharashtra

¹Kadam V.B, ¹Salve S.B, ¹Deore S.V, ²Medhane V. J and ³Gaikwad V.B
¹P. G. Dept. of Botany & Research Centre, K.T.H.M. College, Nasik–422 002
²P. G. Dept. of Chemistry & Research Centre, K.T.H.M. College, Nasik – 422 002
³Director, B.C.U.D., Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India

A B S T R A C T
The seasonal variation of total ash, water soluble ash and water insoluble ash have been investigated in leaves, wood and bark of Terminalia cuneata Roth., Terminalia bellirica Roxb., Terminalia chebula Retz. and Terminalia catappa Linn., which are medicinally important plants. Comparative account of total ash, water soluble ash and water insoluble ash content of wood of Terminalia chebula showed high level of total ash in summer (12.75 %) and low level of total ash of leaves in winter of Terminalia cuneata (6.3 %). Comparative account of acid soluble ash of wood of Terminalia chebula in summer showed higher (6.75 %) and lower in the leaves of Terminalia chebula in monsoon (3.4 %). The acid insoluble ash showed higher level of wood in winter of Terminalia chebula (6.25 %) and lower in bark of Terminalia bellirica in monsoon (2.7 %).
Keywords: Total ash, acid soluble ash, acid insoluble ash, medicinal plant, Terminalia