Waseem Hassan
University of Peshawar, Pakistan
Title: Phytochemical characterization, nutritional evaluation and antimicrobial potential of carum copticum
Biography
Biography: Waseem Hassan
Abstract
The use and search for nutritional supplements and medicine derived from plants have increased in recent years. The present study was designed to analyze the preliminary phytochemical constituents, nutrient content, antimicrobial activity and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GCMS) characterization of Carum copticum. Approximate analysis was performed for the quantitative estimation of carbohydrate, protein, fat, fiber, ash and moisture content. The phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of steroids, terpeniods, glycoside, flavonoid, reducing sugar and alkaloid. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) was used for the quantitative assessments of Mn, Cr, Fe, Ni, Zn, Cu, Ca and Mg. Carum copticum ash content indicated highest Ca (191.67mg/l) concentration followed by Mg (52.275mg/l), Fe (1.610mg/l) and Mn (0.941mg/l). Essential oil was analyzed by GCMS. p-Cyme-3-ol (38.00%), o-Cymene (37.44%), gamma-Terpines (21.07%) and beta-Pinene (1.42%) were identified as major constituents. Crude extracts and essential oil were verified against six gram negative bacteria, three gram positive bacteria and one fungal strain. Essentials oil was more effective as compared to the crude extracts and showed highest activity against Bacillus Atrophaeus (43mm). Our data revealed the high nutritive value and antimicrobial potential of Carum copticum which can be considered for the development of broad spectrum antimicrobial formulation and as a food preservative.