Inventorization of flowering plants and phytochemical analysis of selected species of Rupnagar Punjab

Abstract

The present study has been carried out in the district Rupnagar, Punjab. A total of 669 species from 476 genera and 104 families have been recorded during the investigation. These include 389 wild and remaining cultivated and ornamental species which are likely be introduced from time to time as per the requirements. The family Fabaceae contains the highest number (81) of species followed by Asteraceae and Poaceae (48 species each). The recorded plant species have been characterized based on distinguished morphological features. The herbaceous species has constituted 51.42%, while trees, shrubs and climbers were 21.22%, 16.44% and 10.91%, respectively. The plant diversity was rich in hilly tracts as compared to the plains, which may be due to urbanization, industrialization and land use for different purposes. A total of 23 phytochemicals including alkaloids, betaxanthins, diterpenoids, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, phenols, proteins, saponins, starch, steroids, tannins, terpenoids etc. have been reported in aqueous, ethanol and acetone extracts of 11 plant species. The Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of leaves has depicted the presence of phytocompounds having antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-HIV, antioxidant, antibacterial etc. activities. The functional groups related information provided by the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) has further strengthened the phytochemical observations. The analysis of macro and microelements through Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (WD-XRF) has supported the use of plant species in traditional medicines. The matK and ITS sequences data has shown the genetic identity and phylogenetic relationship within the species. However, an integrated approach involving both morphological and molecular parameters can better resolve the identification-related issues. newline