Evaluation of angiospermic epiphytes for the presence of bioactive phytochemicals with special reference to phenol and tannins

Abstract

Plants are the major source of large amount of bioactive compounds viz., phenols, tannin, alkaloids, saponins and flavonoids. Secondary metabolites produced by angiospremic epiphytes have been known to relieve various diseases in both plants and human being. Phytochemical analysis of leaf extract of selected angiospermic epiphytes like Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. Viscum orientale Wild, Cymbidium bicolor (L.) Sw., Bulbophyllum propinquum Kraenzl. Hoya ovalifolia Wild & Arnott and Dendrophthoe falcata (L. f.) Ettingsh indicated the variation in all the plants chosen. Total phenols and tannins content in both methanolic and aqueous extracts were found varied species wise and proved to be the good source of natural bioactive compounds may be used for the management of crops diseases caused by fungi.