PHYTOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION, ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY AND POLLINATOR VISITATION IN SELECTED MEDICINAL PLANTS FROM KALWAN REGION, NASHIK, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA


Vivek Bahiram, Pradip Chaure, Rajesh Kumar Yadav
Karmveer Ramraoji Aher Arts, Science and Commerce College, Deola, Maharashtra, India
Abstract
Medicinal plants are valuable sources of bioactive compounds and also play an important role in maintaining ecological interactions by supporting pollinator diversity. The present study was conducted during 2023–2024 in the Kalwan region of Nashik district, Maharashtra, to examine phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, and pollinator visitation in five medicinal plant species: Ocimum sanctum, Azadirachta indica, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Vitex negundo, and Calotropis gigantea. Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of phenolic compounds and saponins in all species. Antioxidant activity, evaluated using the DPPH assay, showed clear variation among plants, with Ocimum sanctum exhibited the highest antioxidant activity (71.8%), followed by Azadirachta indica (65.2%), Calotropis gigantea (63.5%), Vitex negundo (61.8%), and Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (56.2%). Field observations indicated that bees were the dominant pollinators, while butterflies and flies were recorded in lower numbers. A consistent trend was observed in which plants with higher flavonoid content attracted greater pollinator visits. Overall, the study demonstrates a clear association between phytochemical composition and pollinator attraction, highlighting the ecological importance of medicinal plants in semi-arid regions.
Keywords: Phytochemicals, Antioxidant activity, Pollinators, Medicinal plants, DPPH, Kalwan
Journal Name :
EPRA International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (IJMR)

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Published on : 2026-03-24

Vol : 12
Issue : 3
Month : March
Year : 2026
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