Evaluation of Physicochemical and Preliminary Phytochemical Studies on the Fruit of Emblica Officinalis Gaertn

The present communication attempts to evaluate the physicochemical and preliminary phytochemical studies on the fruit of Emblica officinalis Gaertn, Euphorbiaceae family. Amla is one of the most celebrated herbs in the Indian traditional medicine system, Ayurveda. Amla traditional uses include as a laxative, eye wash, appetite stimulant, restorative tonic, and to treat anorexia, indigestion, diarrhea, anemia, and jaundice. Amla is becoming increasingly well known for its unusually high levels of Vitamin C, which is resistant to storage and heat damage due to cooking. It is found natively in India. Indian gooseberry has been used as valuable ingredient of various medicines in India and abroad. As there is no detailed standardisation work reported on fruit, the physicochemical parameters, preliminary phytochemical constants, toxic heavy metals, pesticide residue, and aflatoxin analysis are carried out. The study revealed specific identities for the particular crude drug which will be useful in identification and control to adulterations of the raw drug.