COMPOSITIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF RUDRAKSHA (ELAEOCARPUS GANITRUS Roxb.)

Rudraksha bead or Elaeocarpus ganitrus (Roxb.) is a reverent plant based therapeutic agent with spiritual and holistic importance in traditional system of medicine since time immemorial. While multifarious pharmacological properties of Rudraksha beads have been reported against a range of chronic disorders, evidences about its compositional characteristics are highly superficial. The present study aims to quantify the biochemical, phytochemicals, functional groups, and elemental characteristics of three, four, and five Mukhi Rudraksha (3MR, 4MR, and 5MR) beads. Biochemical analysis encompasses quantification of total carbohydrates, total proteins, and crude fat content. Phytochemical analysis was performed to quantify alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, phenolics, anthocyanins, ascorbic acid, tannins, and terpenoids. Identification of functional groups was carried out through Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometer and UV spectrophotometer. Elemental analysis was performed using CHNSO analyzer. One Way ANOVA with Posthoc Multiple Tukeys test was used for statistical analysis. Significant differences were obtained in all the biochemical, phytochemicals, functional groups, and elemental components among 3MR, 4MR, and 5MR. Future studies are warranted to identify the active biomarkers in different Mukhi Rudraksha that will add new therapeutic candidates in the ever-growing number