Abstract:

plants are the source of many useful bioactive compounds. It is suggested that they may protect us against pathogens. Antioxidants play a major role to protect the cell from oxidative stress. The study was designed to examine the antioxidant properties and total phenol contents of methanol and acetone extracts of some common species of Yam found in Odisha, India, namely, Dioscorea belophylla, Dioscorea esculenta, Dioscorea glabra, Dioscorea oppositifolia, Dioscorea tomentosa, Dioscorea wallichii, Dioscorea hamiltonii, and Dioscorea hispida var. daemona. These tuberous plants were collected from peripheral areas of Similipal Biosphere Reserve, Khurda, Cuttack, and Dhenkanal districts of Odisha, India. Phenolic compounds, tannin, and saponin are found as prime bioactive compounds in all tuber extracts of selected plants. The antioxidant activities were determined by 1-1-diphenyl-2-pycrilhydrazyne radical scavenging assay and metal chelating activities. The results of antioxidant activities showed their sound scavenging potential. The present study highlights the nutraceutical values of wild tuberous plants.

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