Bioprospecting of marine organisms for novel bioactive compounds

Abstract :

Pharmacognostic standardization of an eco-friendly bio-insecticide having Acorus calamus (Sweet flag-rhizome), Nigella sativa (Black cumin-seeds), Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Cinnamon-bark), Piper nigrum (Pepper - fruit) and Eugenia caryophyllaea W. (Clove - flower buds) as its ingredients was carried out. The phytochemical ingredients of the bioinsecticide possessed antifeedant, antilarval, insecticidal activity. Besides, it also possessed chemicals that induced sedation. The parameters studied include macroscopic and microscopic features, physicochemical constants, fluorescence characters and assay of alkaloids. Level of total alkaloids was estimated because the major chemical constituent of this herbal formulation is alkaloid, which is also a proven antifeedant principle.