COMPARATIVE REVIEW ON FLAVONOID CONTENT IN KAITHA (FERONIA LIMONIA) AND BAEL (AEGLE MARMELOS)

Background: For centuries, Feronia limonia (Wood Apple) and Aegle marmelos (Bael) have served as vital components of traditional medicine in the Indian subcontinent. Both members of the Rutaceae family are prized for their secondary metabolites, particularly flavonoids, which offer potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective benefits. Objective: This review provides a comparative evaluation of the botanical characteristics, phytochemical diversity, and flavonoid concentrations of these two species to determine their relative therapeutic potential. Methods: The study synthesizes existing quantitative data, focusing on extraction efficiencies across various solvents and the biosynthetic pathways Shikimic, Mevalonic, and Malonic acid responsible for their bioactive profiles. Results: Analysis reveals that Aegle marmelos exhibits superior phytochemical diversity and higher flavonoid abundance, with maximum reported values reaching 135.17 mg QE/g in fruit extracts. Comparatively, Feronia limonia shows a maximum of 35.25 mg QCE/g. Discrepancies in content are primarily driven by the plant part utilized, solvent polarity, and fruit maturity stages. Conclusion: While both plants are significant sources of bioactive markers, Aegle marmelos demonstrates a more robust flavonoid profile. This comparative insight supports the optimization of extraction protocols for developing high-potency herbal formulations and nutraceuticals.