MICROMORPHOLOGICAL AND FTIR SPECTRAL ANALYSIS OF SOLANUM TRILOBATUM L. (SOLANACEAE) - A MEDICINALLY VALUED THORNY CREEPER FROM SOUTH INDIA

The ultrastructural features of the medicinal species of Solanum viz. Solanum trilobatum was investigated with Scanning Electron Microscopy. Pollen, trichomes and seed texture pattern were analyzed. The traits like pollen morphology and seed surface architecture were regarded as genetically determined traits and seldom influenced by ecological conditions. FourierTransforrm Infra Red spectral data was obtained using dried leaf tissue samples which was further analyzed with a view to distinguish the functional chemical groups in the pharmacobotanical herb which in turn provides relevant preliminary informations for chemotaxonomical perusal. The morphology of the spermoderm as well as Infra Red spectral peaks were found to be useful as taxonomic tools for species level identity as there is high degree of adulteration possibility due to increased demands.