Qualitative estimation of sesquiterpenoids and triterpenoids of some Phansomba (Indian Medicinal Phellinus spp.) samples and its adulterant Hymenochaete species.

In the present investigation 16 species of Phellinus and 6 species of Hymenochaete (collected as an adulterant) were screened for sesquiterpenoids and triterpenoids. A total of 11 spots were detected in both sesquiterpenoids and triterpenoids chromatograms. The terpenoids were not identified. The spots obtained for Phellinus were compared with the spots of Hymenochaete. It was revealed from the SAB and D values that almost half of the species of Phellinus have about 45% to 57% dissimilarity in case of sesquiterpenoids and 50% to 60% dissimilarity with the triterpenoids. However, since both the taxa are from the same family, the spots that were common may be characteristic of the family. Such a study may be used to reveal the adulteration in medicinal Phellinus samples.