A seasonal study on the bark of mangroves with reference to polyphenols-rhizophoraceae

摘要

Mangroves are one among the world's most productive ecosystem of great ecological and economic significance. In India mangroves are represented by 65 species belonging to 31 families 59 genera and two varieties. The Pitchavaram, mangrove is a source polyphenol employed in Indian Medicine among many other uses. Present investigation aims to study bark of mangroves with special reference to polyphenols which possess a wide range of biological activities including, anticancer, and anti-diabetes. Polyphenol content was estimated in the root and stem bark of Rhizophora apiculata BI., R.nuicronala Lam. The bark polyphenol are studied in four different season like monsoon, summer, premonsoon, post-monsoon, the total polyphenol content in root and stem bark was very high in monsoon followed by summer. A very low content was observed in post-monsoon. The polyphenol containing cells are rich in the middle bark region compared with other regions of bark. The studies are useful in findings the appropriate season for the maximum exploitation of bark for the extraction of polyphenols. In deciding the best season for collection of the highly resourceful bark region besides their proper identification which is the need of the hour for the standardisation of herbal drugs.