Bhattacharyya and Roy, IJPSR, 2018; Vol. 9(9): 3845-3851. E-ISSN: 0975-8232; P-ISSN: 2320-5148 International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research 3845 IJPSR (2018), Volume 9, Issue 9 (Research Article) Received on 07 January, 2018; received in revised form, 08 March, 2018; accepted, 11 March, 2018; published 01 September, 2018 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF BIOACTIVE PHYTOCHEMICALS IN GOBINDOBHOG AND BLACK RICE, CULTIVATED IN WEST BENGAL, INDIA S. Bhattacharyya and S. Roy * Department of Zoology, Immunopharmacology and Molecular Cell Biology Laboratory, University of Gour Banga, Malda - 732103, West Bengal, India. ABSTRACT: Phytochemicals are bioactive compounds produced by plant through primary and secondary metabolism. Phytochemicals are found to be more effective than conventional synthetic chemicals. Rice is considered as the staple food for most of the people residing in this part of world, i.e., the eastern part of India. There are many varieties of rice cultivated in West Bengal, India and among which Gobindobhog and black rice are common. In the present study, qualitative and quantitative analyses of phytochemicals like flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, riboflavin, ascorbic acid, thiamine, etc. of Gobindobhog and black rice were performed. All the methods followed are standard biochemical and spectrophotometric procedures for detection and quantification of phytochemicals. Qualitative screening of phytochemicals indicated the presence of glycoside, steroid, phenol, protein and carbohydrate in both of the rice varieties, whereas tannin, phlobatannin, terpenoid, alkaloid and flavonoid were identified only in black rice. Quantitative analysis indicated the presence of ascorbic acid, riboflavin and lipid in significant amount in both of these rice varieties. Therefore, it can be concluded that both Gobindobhog and black rice possess medicinal properties apart from their food value. Therefore, isolation and identification of active principles from these rice varieties should be prioritized and it will advance the existing knowledge in relation to human health. INTRODUCTION: Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is used as a staple food by a large part of world’s population. The major nutrients in rice are carbohydrates, proteins, fatty acids, vitamins and some minerals. Being easily available and digestible, rice has been used for curing various neuromascular, digestive and respiratory diseases as mentioned in the ayurvedic literatures 1 . QUICK RESPONSE CODE DOI: 10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.9(9).3845-51 Article can be accessed online on: www.ijpsr.com DOI link: http://dx.doi.org/10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.9(9).3845-51 Traditional coloured rice varieties are rich in dietary fibres, starch, flavonoids, phenols, etc. and therefore, consumption of these pigmented rice varieties are reported to play a major role in attenuating the incidence of non - communicable disease like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and stroke 2, 3 . Phytochemicals are the bioactive compounds which possess antioxidant activity and play a major role in protecting body from diseases. Antioxidants delay or inhibit cellular damage through different properties 4 . Medicinal plants have great antioxidant potential which is due to their contents of variable phytoconstituents. Though a large number of experiments have been carried out Keywords: Phytochemicals, Gobindobhog, Black rice, Food value Correspondence to Author: Dr. Subhrajyoti Roy Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, University of Gour Banga, Malda - 732103, West Bengal, India. E-mail: subhrajyoti_roy@rediffmail.com