Abstract:
Plants have been extensively used as
medicine and for disease management since early
days, due to presence of valuable chemical identities.
Present study was carried out to compare the
phytochemicals present in local (Sri Lankan) and
imported (Indian) fruits of Punica granatum. Juice,
peel and seed extracts of imported (Indian) and
thirteen Sri Lankan P. granatum fruits collected from
different localities were analyzed to determine the
total anthocyanin (TA), total flavonoid (TF) and total
phenolic (TP) content and were compared.
Phytochemical analysis revealed that TA content is
high in Indian fruits and TF and TP contents are
high in Sri Lankan fruits. Peel and seed extracts
were subjected to GC-MS analysis and peaks were
obtained. Among them 27 peaks were selected and
their medicinal properties were identified. It was
revealed that peel and seeds have antimicrobial,
antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer
activity.
