Fundamentals of Phytochemical Analysis

Plants are a very important source of nutrients and a very important part in the human diet. They provide us carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, cholesterol lowering compounds, antioxidants and other important sources of biologically active substances. Many nutritional values of plants have been discussed in the literature but there is very limited research in the biologically active compounds that are present in them. These biologically active compounds are called as phytochemicals. These phytochemicals are derived from every part of the plant including roots, stem, leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds etc. These phytochemicals are sometimes used as such and in some cases they form the raw materials for a variety of other medicinally important compounds. Medicinal plants are a gift to us from the nature as they provide a number of health benefits to us. In India these medicinal plants are used for about centuries for their properties and are still used to this date. India has a variety of traditional medical systems like Ayurveda, siddha, unani and a huge class of ethnomedicine. This knowledge of medicine was disappeared due to the modernisation that has been on us on the past and is reappearing again as their importance have been realized and lack of side effects are also an important aspect in these types of traditional medicine. Medicinal plants are very important in health care of individuals and communities in many developing countries. Medicinal plants are believed to be much safer and are used in treatment of various ailments .The plants provide the basic nutrients needed for the growth of animals and humans like proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and oils minerals. These plant compounds are used as alternative medicine and have become popular all over the world. They are also used in everyday medicines that we take in our daily life without even knowing that these plant compounds are present, the plant are also used as nutraceutical supplements for improving nutritional intake.This book deals with the methods that are involved in the identification and analysis of such novel compounds that are useful in the field of drug discovery and other application of these valuable plant compounds.