Yogesh V. Ushir
Cecidological and pharmacognostical parameters for the galls of three Ficus species were studied with the aim of drawing the standards. The codicology, macroscopy, microscopy, powder characteristics, physical standards, thin layer chromatographic studies of Ficus racemosa, Ficus benghalensis, and Ficus religiosa galls included in the research work. The study also deals with the phytochemical screening of various extracts. Here nonstructural total phenolic content (TPC) determined by Folin- Ciocalteu reagent and flavonoid content (TFC) was determined by the aluminum chloride colorimetric method. In addition, total tannin content (TTC) determined by back titration with potassium permanganate also carried out. During the cecidologic study, it has been observed that Ficus species galls have three stages; development, maturation, and senescence stage. Microscopically the galls show variation in their growing stages. Commonly cuticle, lignified cells, cortex, starch grains, nutritive tissue, and larval chamber were identified during microscopy of galls. The results showed that the moderate presence of terpenes, flavonoid, steroids, phenols, and tannins