<i>Inula racemosa</i> and <i>Digitalis purpurea</i> from Kashmir: Fatty acid composition, antioxidant, antibacterial activities, and functional group evaluation

Abstract

Abstract Inula racemosa Hook. f. and Digitalis purpurea L. are aromatic medicinal plants used in Ayurveda, possessing diuretic, antiseptic, antitumor, and various other therapeutic properties. This study determined fatty acid composition by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry in petroleum ether seed extracts. Moreover, antioxidant activity namely 2,2‐di‐phenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2ˈ‐azino‐bis‐3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid (ABTS), nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT), catalase, peroxidase, and in vitro antibacterial activity, functional group analysis were carried on seeds extracted through petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, acetone, and methanol. Extracted yield ( wt . %) of seeds was significantly high. Linoleic acid was the dominant fatty acid found in I racemosa 52.87% and D purpurea 73.36%. All extracts showed powerful antioxidant and antibacterial activities especially at 100 and 100 mg/mL, respectively. Moreover, through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy numerous functional groups were found in all extracts. Therefore, from above study the I racemosa and D purpurea seeds could have valuable application in food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries.