Physico-chemical Properties of the Latex of Tabernaemontana divaricata

Abstract

The latex was collected from a native plant source, namely, Tabernaemontana divaricata. The latex was analyzed for different molecules i. e. alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, saponins, phenols, carbohydrates, amino acids, proteins; and different elements, i. e. nitrogen, sulphur, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese and iron. The result of the study revealed the presence of phenols, alkaloids, flavonoids, amino acids and proteins in the latex of T. divaricata. All the analyzed elements were found in the latex, among all these, nitrogen was found in higher quantity followed by sulphur, potassium, phosphorus, manganese, iron and zinc. Copper was found to be very scarce. The latex contained 91.11 mg/ml of protein