BigPatents India

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of antifungal activity rich root powder from Decalepis hamiltonii Wight & Arn. Decalepis hamiltonii Wight & Arn. (swallow root) belonging to Asclepidaceae is a monogeneric climbing shrub native of the Deccan peninsula and forset areas of Western Ghats of India. It finds use as a culinary spice due to its high priced aromatic roots. Antifungal action of plant extracts has got great potential as they can be handled easily and they lack residual effect, systematic in their activity, easily biodegradable, stimulate-host metabolism etc., Use of plants for their antimicrobial and antifungal properties has been a subject of wide interest. Under this context an attempt was made to exploit the antifungal nature of the tuberous root extracts of Decalepis hamiltonii.