QUANTITATIVE PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND GC-MS ANALYSIS OF THE FRUIT OF SEMECARPUS ANACARDIUM LINN.

Bhallataka (Semecarpus anacardium Linn.) is a significant medicinal plant in Ayurveda, valued for its therapeutic properties despite its toxic nature. This study aims to standardize the fruits of Bhallataka through macroscopic, microscopic, physicochemical, phytochemical, and GC-MS analyses to ensure their purity and quality. The macroscopic and microscopic characteristics confirmed the fruit's identical features, while physicochemical analysis revealed a pH of 5.63, a total ash content of 3.50 %, and an alcohol-soluble extractive value of 31.89 %. Phytochemical screening identified alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, and carbohydrates, with a total polyphenol content of 3.41 %. Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry analysis detected 20 chemical compounds, with Pyridine-3-carboxylic acid, 1 [(bicyclo [4.1.0] heptane 7 carbonyl) amino 3] being the most abundant (79.31 %) as the predominant component. The study provides a comprehensive standardization protocol for Bhallataka fruits, which can be used to ensure the quality of the plant material used in various formulations.