EVALUATION OF PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS IN SOME LOCALLY AVAILABLE FLOWERING PLANTS

Farah Deeba, Naeem Abbas*, Tayyaba Aftab, Samreen Zehra and
Rauf Ahmad Khan

ABSTRACT

Phenolic compounds in plants are responsible for pigmentation, growth, reproduction, resistance to pathogens and for many other functions. Plants synthesize a greater array of secondary compounds which having numerous medicinal properties that can be beneficial for human health and play a key role in health protection all over the world. The present study reveals that phenolic compounds are present in flower petals and to some extent in leaves. These are also related to antimicrobial and anti-oxidant activities of plant due to their high tendency to chelate metals. Phenolic possess hydroxyl and carboxyl groups, able to bind metals. Maximum phenolic contents were present in Dhalia flowers (468.61mg/100g) and minimum was found in Gainda leaves (5.34 mg/100g). Highest level of flavonoids was present in Jasmin flowers (58.97mg/100g) and mostly leaves did not possess flavonoid. Phenolic contents may be related to antibacterial and antioxidant activities as Dhalia Flower has maximum phenolic compounds, it exhibit maximum antibacterial activity and DPPH Scavenging activates (80 % and 16.65% respectively), others having less phenol did not show antimicrobial activities. Maximum antifungal activity was found in Morning glory flower (19 %) which may be related with Flavonoids contents which is maximum in Morning glory flowers.

Keywords: phenolic compounds; antioxidant activities; flower; leaves; flavonoids and antimicrobial activities.