2008-'09 - Kerala Forest Research Institute

Annual Report 2008-09
The solvent extracts of plants were separated through TLC with various solvent systems
for phytochemical screening. When comparing polyphenols more or less similar patterns
were obtained for Saraca asoca its substitutes. When analysing for polyphenolics,
Kaempferia rotunda produced 12 and 7 bands, but substitute plants produced only 3
and 2 bands with acetone extracts using chloroform : acetic acid (9:1) and ethyl acetate:
benzene (9:11) respectively. When comparing Saraca asoca and its substitutes for
flavanoids only 2 bands were obtained by using ethyl acetate : benzene (9:11) and
sprayed with Vanillin-HCl. Results show more or less similar patterns in all the samples.
In total, six bands were obtained when chloroform: acetic acid (9:1) was used as solvent
system and sprayed with 10% aqueous lead acetate. Kaempferia rotunda did not produce
clear banding pattern.
When comparing Saraca asoca and its substitutes for terpenoid content, 8 bands were
obtained for S. asoca when ethyl acetate: benzene (9:11) was used as a solvent system
and 0.2% aqueous potassium permanganate was used as spray reagent. A total of 5
bands were obtained when chloroform: acetic acid (9:1) was used as solvent system.
Results showed more or less similar patterns, but the band with Rf 0.45 was observed
in Humboldtia vahliana and Kingiodendron pinnatum. In total 3 bands were obtained
for Lagenandra toxicaria with solvent system, ethyl acetate: benzene (9:11). Lagenandra
ovata and Kaempferia rotunda did not show clear banding pattern.
Antioxidant property was analyzed by determining the scavenging effects of free radicals
such as superoxide, hydroxyl radical and lipid peroxidation generated with in vitro
assay system. In anti-inflamatory assay, acute and chronic assay systems were performed.
To induce acute and chronic inflammation, carrageenan and formalin respectively,
were used. The results of biological studies clearly demonstrated that the extract of
both bark and leaf offered protection against the generation of free radicals such as
superoxide, hydroxyl, and inhibited tissue lipid peroxidation. The results also suggest
the protection against inflammation in a dose-dependent manner.
Awareness Programmes
Organising educational programmes at Teak Museum, Subcentre, Nilambur
Different educational programmes including workshops on teak cultivation were
organised for students, teacher trainees, nature club members and the general public visiting
the Museum to create awareness about teak and the importance of conservation of
nature, forests and wildlife. A study on social awareness of traditional teak wood articles
used in the households of Nilambur and Malappuram areas of Kerala State was conducted
through visitor survey.
A summer course was organised during 23 to 30 April 2008. Thirty students participated
in the one-week programme. Classes on importance of forests and their conservation,
field visits to Conolly's plot, plant collection and techniques of herbarium
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Kerala Forest Research Institute