Haemagglutination as a rapid tool to differentiate Saraca asoca bark from the adulterant Polyalthia longifolia Beena C, Radhakrishnan V V All India Coordinated Project on Medicinal, Aromatic Plants and Betalvine, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, P.O. Vellanikkara, Thrissur-680656, Kerala, India. beenac2@gmail.com Online published on 19 March, 2012. Abstract Saraca asoca(Roxb.) Wilde, the asoka tree is one of the red listed plants of the Western Ghats. The bark of asoka tree is the source of the ayurvedic medicine “asokarishtam” used in the treatment of gynecological disorders. The rising demand has led to its widespread adulteration. It is widely adulterated with the bark of Polyalthia longifolia an ornamental tree. This paper presents a quick and easy method to determine the adulteration in asoka bark. Haemagglutination method using the phosphate buffered saline (PBS) extract of the stem barks and o positive human erythrocytes was proved to serve as an effective, quick, easy and cheap tool in differentiating the raw bark of asoka from its major adulterant Polyalthia longifolia. This can be recommended as a tool for the floor level checking of the market samples for ensuring the quality. Top Keywords Adulteration, Haemagglutination, Saraca asoca, Polyalthia longifolia, PBS (phosphate buffered saline). Top |