Consequences of Gamma Irradiation on Triphala’s Phytochemical Compositions, Microbial Burden and Antioxidant Properties

Abstract

Triphala, a renowned polyherbal blend comprising three fruits, Phyllanthus emblica Linn., Terminalia chebula Retz., and Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb., in equal proportions, holds a rich historical lineage in both Ayurvedic and Thai traditional medicine. Triphala has been reputed as the indigenous medicine in the Thailand National List of Essential Drugs: List of Herbal Medicinal Products which has been widely used as a natural remedy for relieving cough and phlegm. However, the inherent challenge of microbial contamination in herbal remedies necessitates effective interventions. Gamma () irradiation emerges as a pivotal method to mitigate the microbial burden in medicinal plants, albeit with potential repercussions on their chemical composition and biological properties. This study investigated the impact of -irradiation doses of 5, 10, and 25 kGy exposed to Triphala and the microbial contamination along with antioxidant activity, total phenolic content (TPC), gallic acid (GA), and chebulagic acid (CA) contents. The TPC and antioxidant activity of non-irradiated and irradiated Triphala were determined by using the Folin-Ciocalteu method and DPPH assay, while the GA and CA contents were quantified by HPLC analysis. The results demonstrated the efficacy of radiation doses (5-25 kGy) in diminishing microbial loads without significantly altering TPC or DPPH scavenging activity. Intriguingly, irradiation at 5 and 10 kGy, resulted in a notable increase in GA contents and CA contents (p< 0.05). Thus, the -irradiation emerges as a promising avenue for preserving Triphala quality and antioxidant properties amidst microbial contamination challenges.