ANALYSIS OF BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS AND ELEMENTS IN Corallocarpus epigaeus RHIZOMES

Phytochemicals are biologically active, naturally occurring chemical compounds found in plants, which provide health benefits for humans (Hasler and Blumberg, 1999). They protect plants from disease and damage and contribute to the plant’s color, aroma and flavor. In general, the plant chemicals that protect plant cells from environmental hazards such as pollution, stress, drought, UV exposure and pathogenic attack are called as phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are non-nutritive plant chemicals that have protective or disease preventive properties. Plant produces these chemicals to protect itself but recent research demonstrates that many phytochemicals can protect humans against diseases. There are many phytochemicals fruits and herbs and each works differently (Arora et al., 1998). Phytochemicals are a field of increasing attention, both in science and in commerce. As is now generally recognized, many plant compounds and pigments have effects on animals and human beings. There is a great effort now to study and understand at a fundamental level and significant health effects of these compounds. This field is maturing and the health effects of these compounds are now getting ABSTRACT