Date of Publication :8th August 2024

Abstract: About 10% of all flowering plant species (angiosperms) exude latex upon tissue damage and this latex has no known function in primary metabolism. It is more phytochemically diverse than resins, mucilages, and gums, and often contains complex mixtures of secondary metabolites. In the previous study it was found that latex of Manilkara zapota, Plumeria acuminate and Tabernaemontana coronaria has potential bioactives. Present study investigated the volatile components of latex in Manilkara zapota, Plumeria acuminate and Tabernaemontana coronaria using GCMS analysis. The latex extracts were further evaluated for their antimicrobial action and allelopathic effect on seed germination. GC-MS analysis revealed that latex extracts of all three plant species under study contain a variety of chemical compounds. These components changed when extraction was carried out at variable temperatures. A detrimental response in seed germination study was observed in the test species. The test organisms hinted at an antimicrobial effect of these latex extracts. Thus latex exuded from these plant species and the extracted compounds may have a potential to be used as natural herbicides or disinfectants.

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