Abstract

BIOCHEMICAL ESTIMATION OF PHYTOSTEROLS FROM A MEDICINALLY IMPORTANT PLANT BUTEA MONOSPERMA IN VIVO AND IN VITRO

Chandkor Kumari and *Renu Sarin

ABSTRACT

An in vitro protocol was developed for the production of some important phytosterols from a medicinally important plant Butea monosperma. The present investigation confirmed the presence of three sterols viz. β-sitosterol, stigmasterol and campesterol in vivo plant parts (seeds, flowers and leaves) and in vitro callus cultures of Butea monosperma by Thin layer chromatography, melting points and infra-red spectral studies. In vivo analysis of plant parts showed highest content of total sterols in seeds (1.10mg/gdw) and minimum in flowers (0.59mg/gdw). In vitro analysis of callus cultures showed maximum sterols in six weeks old callus cultures (0.72mg/gdw) which declined by eighth week (0.63mg/gdw) and minimum in 2 weeks old callus cultures (0.43mg/gdw). Among the three isolated sterols the percentage of β-sitosterol was high as compared to other two sterols viz. stigmasterol and campesterol. The maximum amount of β-sitosterol was found in seeds (0.54mg/gdw). The total amount of sterols was found to be higher in plant parts specially seeds(1.10mg/gdw) as compared to its callus cultures(0.72mg/gdw).

Keywords: Butea monosperma, Callus cultures, ?-sitosterol, Stigmasterol, Campesterol.