CHARACTERIZATION OF PHYTOCHEMICALS AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS

Herbal plants contain a diverse array of bioactive compounds with medicinal properties and have been widely used for the treatment of various health issues for decades. Rosmarinus officinalis is a well-known medicinal plant commonly employed to treat different health conditions and enhance memory. In present study rosemary was analyzed for its compositional, physicochemical, and phytochemical properties. Proximate composition analysis revealed the following values: moisture content (9.54±0.7%), ash content (7.37±0.3%), crude fiber content (19.38±0.77%), crude fat content (14.99±0.44%), crude protein content (5.23±0.26%), and nitrogen free content as (43.47±1.75%). Among the minerals rosemary contains Potassium (1669.71±2.09 mg/100g), Calcium (1073.14±2.93 mg/100g), Magnesium (39.98±0.49 mg/100g), Phosphorous (457.72±2.45 mg/100g), Iron (36.01±0.05 mg/100g) and Sodium (81.79±1.08 mg/100g).  Furthermore, ethanolic extract exhibited highest value of total phenolic content (242.58±2.98 mg GAE/g), total flavonoid content (296.95±2.04 µg CE/g) and DPPH assay (78.04±2.33%) as compared to aqueous and methanolic extracts.  These results strongly suggest the nutritional and pharmacological potential of rosemary, supporting its use in both therapeutic and nutritional formulations.