Comparative Biochemical Studies on Jasminum Species

Jasmine is one of the plants with large number of species naturally occurring and cultivated species for fragrant flowers and their multiuse. People make religious sacrifices to gods like Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu using jasmine flowers. Jasmine leaves can be deciduous or evergreen. This suggests that the leaves will either remain evergreen or drop off when they reach maturity. In the present study, the aqueous extracts of Jasminum sambac, J. malabaricum, J. grandiflorum leaves were studied for their phytoconstituents using standard protocols. Jasminum sambac and J.malabaricum showed the presence of alkaloids, tannin, protein, flavonoid, steroid and carbohydrates. Antioxidant activity was studied by DPPH and FRAP assay methods. DPPH antioxidant assay showed highest reducing power in Jasminum malabaricum compared to other two species. Antibacterial activity studied by well diffusion method in which J.malabaricum and J.sambac showed higher antibacterial activity whereas antifungal property was more showed by J.malabaricum extracts.