Phytochemical and Nutritional Evaluation of Amorphophallus campanulatus (Roxb.) Blume Corm

Abstract

Amorphophallus campanulatus (Roxb.) Blume (Araceae) is commonly known as Elephant foot yam. Corms are used in India in curries and pickles and are ascribed in vitiated conditions of vata and kapha, anaemia and general debility. The present communication deals with the detailed pharmacognostic evaluation of the corm sample using light microscopy, WHO recommended physico-chemical determinations and phytochemical procedures. The physico-chemical, morphological and histological parameters presented in this paper may be proposed as parameters to establish the authenticity of A. campanulatus corms. A detailed nutritional analysis has also been carried out for quantitative evaluation of active nutrient components to determine calorific value for edible usage. HPTLC analysis showed the presence of β-sitosterol as marker compound in different extracts and fractions.