PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS

Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) is a widely used culinary spice known for its diverse therapeutic properties. This study investigated the phytochemical constituents and antioxidant activity of nutmeg seed extract to provide scientific insight into its medicinal potential. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, steroids, terpenoids, and Cardiac glycosides. These compounds are associated with various biological activities including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and free-radical scavenging effects. The antioxidant capacity of the extract was evaluated using standard assays like DPPH(2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), which had an IC50 value of 2.965. FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power)which had an IC50 value of 2.228. TAC(Total antioxidant capacity) which had an IC50 value of 1.209. The Antioxidant Scavenging activity of this plant suggests that this plant Myristica Fragrans has good antioxidant capacity and can help combat oxidative stress.

Standard analytical methods were utilized to investigate the nutritional composition and phytochemical content of Lantana camara Linn. leaves in order to uncover the plant's potential bioactive compounds and nutritional profile.. The qualitative phytochemical screening of the aqueous extract of Lantana camara Linn. leaves revealed the presence of various compounds such as tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, saponins, steroids, terpenoids, phlobatannins, coumarins, and proteins, with tannins being particularly abundant. However, phenols, anthraquinones, emodins, and anthocyanins were not detected. The composition of the ethanol extract showed variations, with flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, cardiac glycosides, saponins, steroids, terpenoids, phlobatannins, coumarins, and proteins present in moderate amounts, while phenols, anthraquinones, emodins, and anthocyanins were still absent. The medicinal properties of Lantana camara Linn. are influenced by the presence and levels of these secondary metabolites. Proximate analysis revealed that Lantana camara Linn. leaves are rich in carbohydrates (26.59± 1.86%), have a high moisture content (18.00 ± 1.63%), crude protein (18.41 ± 0.02%), crude fats (17.33 ± 0.14%), crude fiber (10.00 ± 0.82%), and ash (9.67 ± 0.27%). The significant presence
of carbohydrates, protein, crude lipids, and fiber in the leaves may contribute to their nutritional value