EVALUATION OF CARBOHYDRATE CONTENT IN THREE MEDICINAL PLANTS OF GENUS SESBANIA IN MAHARASHTRA

The genus Sesbania belongs to the family Leguminoceae. Sesbania are known for exceptionally fast growth rates as well as a high affinity for association with several nitrogen fixing rhizobia in the soil that cause formation of numerous and large nodules in the plant roots. The member of this genus also have several potential uses including forage, poles for light construction, fuel wood, medicines, shade trees for other crops and gums. The seasonal variation of starch , total sugar and total carbohydrates content have been investigated from leaves, wood and bark of Sesbania rostrata , Sesbania exaltata and Sesbania sesban are the medicinal plants in Maharashtra. Comparative account of starch content of leaves, wood and bark of Sesbania rostrata showed higher level (range 7.49 to 8.54 mg/g dry wt.) than Sesbania exaltata (range 7.16 to 7.52 mg/g dry/wt.) and Sesbania sesban (range 6.07 to 6.72 mg/g dry wt.). Comparative account of total sugar content of leaves, wood and bark of Sesbania rostrata showed higher level (range 2.62 to 3.13 mg/g dry wt.) than Sesbania exaltata (range 2.34 to 2.87 mg/g dry wt.) and Sesbania sesban (range 1.81 to 2.35 mg/g dry wt.). Comparative account of total carbohydrate content of leaves, wood and bark of Sesbania rostrata showed higher level (range 10.11 to 11.67 mg/g dry wt.) than Sesbania exaltata (range 9.50 to 10.40 mg/g dry wt.) and Sesbania sesban (range 7.88 to 9.07 mg/g dry wt.). Keywords : Starch , Total sugar , Total carbohydrate , Medicinal plant , Sesbani