2015, Vol. 3, Issue 6, Part B

author(s)
RR Jadhav

abstract
Rauvolfia serpentina (L.)Benth.ex.Kurz.is an important medicinal plant in the pharmaceutical world due to presence of it’s immense therapeutic properties. The plant is known for curing various disorders because of the presence of alkaloids. The plant part root have been used in ayurvedic medicines. Stud¬ies regarding biodeterioration of plant parts due to infestation of fungi were carried out and it was found that fungal pathogens were highly aggressive for causing degradation of alkaloid contents of the roots at different developmental stages. Plant parts undergo drastic chemical changes from field to factory due to microbial action. During transport of crude drugs to the market may involve various types of damages which may result into qualitative and quantitative loss of the samples. Considering this situation the present studies on effect of mycoflora on stored drug plant parts used in ayurvedic medicines were started as a first step to fill up this major lacuna in the field of ayurvedic therapy.