Quantitative estimation of total phenolic, flavonoids, tannin and chlorophyll content of leaves of Strobilanthes Kunthiana (Neelakurinji)

Abstract

Strobilanthes kunthiana (Nees) (Neelakurinji) is a shrub that is found in the shola forests of the Western Ghats in South India. Present study was to estimate total phenolic, flavanoids, tannin and chlorophyll content of leaves of Strobilanthes kunthiana. Total phenolic content was assessed using Folin- Ciocalteu’s method. Estimation of Total Flavanoids was carried out by aluminium chloride colorimetric method. Tannic acid was used as a standard and the total tannin content were expressed as tannic acid equivalents (TAE). Absorbance was measured using a spectrophotometer at 700nm. The chlorophyll content in the sample was estimated by Arnon’s method. These studies showed that the aqueous extract of leaves of Strobilanthes kunthiana have statistically significant amount of phenolic, flavonoid and tannin content as compared to ethanolic extract.