ORGANIC ACIDS COMPOSITION OF DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE MEDICINAL PLANT – ROSELLE (HIBISCUS SABDARIFFA)
Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa var. sabdariffa ) is known as a folk medicinal plant . The main parts used are flowers and calyces. These parts also used in hot and cold drinks and jams. Oxalic acid which is important health concern present in th ese parts. This study was conducted to investigate the presence of oxalic and other acids in calyces, flowers, leaves, petiols, seed pots etc. The results revealed that, the organic acids, oxalic, malic, tartaric, ascorbic, and citric were found in all these parts. Oxalic acid was found in decreasing order as follows; petioles (86.77 %), green leaves (74.30 %), calyces (44.60 %), seed pods (19.28%) . The levels of other organic acids in these plant parts have also been determined. The importance of these findings arises from the fact that although healthy individuals can safely consume this acid in moderation but in vulnerable individuals such as those with kidney disorders, osteoporosis or rheumatoid arthritis are typically advised to avoid this acid, even if there is no story or cause to be concerned about, consuming parts containing dangerously high concentrations of oxalic acid, must be avoided due to its poisonous nature because sometimes ,consuming even dilute amounts of oxalic acid can rapidly “ crack “ the casein in various dairy products .Therefore , the infusion beverage or Roselle tea must contain low to moderate amounts of oxalic acid per serving . The other organic acids with some health and / or beneficial characteristics were also found in all plant parts of Roselle and their profiles were varied within the plant parts .The aqueous extracts of some plant acidifying agents was also compared with that of Roselle