Plant Science Research, Vol. 34, 2012

Ethnobotany and bioactive compounds in leaf of Bixa orellana L. and its toxicity to Artemia salina L.

Bixa orellana L. (Kum Kum) belonging to the family Bixaceae is a indegineous plant in Odisha. It is also cultivated at some places. The leaves and fruits of the plant are used as dye and as natural lipstick. They are also used as dye for colouring the vegetables and dishes. The plant and its parts are used in treatment of different diseases by the rural and some peripheral tribal communities of Odisha, such as those residing in Simlipal Biosphere Reserve Forest. Experiments were designed to study the ethnobotanical use of the plant among tribal groups of SBR, Odisha and the bioactive compounds presents in the plant and or its leaves and also whether the leaf extracts posses any toxic effect or not. The results revealed the potent bioactive compounds in the leaves of Bixa orellana L. The study further exhibited that the leaf extracts posses no toxic action against Artemia salina L., an experimental arthropod. Thus the studies emphasize upon the potent bioactive compounds present in the leaves of Bixa orellana L. without any toxic effect.