Abstract

A NEW METHOD FOR DETOXIFICATION OF ABRUS PRECATORIUS (LINN): GUNJA SEEDS.

Smita P. Shelke* and Mohini K. Misal

Abstract

Abrus precatorius commonly known as Gunja has been used for therapeutic purpose since vaidic period. The Roots, seeds and leaves are used in traditional & folklore Medicine. Seeds of Gunja are reported to be poisonous due to toxic protein abrin and alkaloid hypaphorine. Sevaral methods are reported to detoxify the gunja seeds by using milk, water and kanji. Present paper deals with detoxification (sodhana prakriya) for Abrus precatorios (Linn) seeds. The aim of new method is to give alternate method for detoxification of gunja seed. Here sodium chloride solution was used as media for detoxification, it had reduced abrine content by 50%.

Keywords: Abrus precatorious, Detoxification, Gunja, Sodhana.