Fernando, L.A.M.E.Kaliyadsa, P.E.Marasinghe, P.Wedamulla, N.E.2021-01-212021-01-2120209789550481293http://www.erepo.lib.uwu.ac.lk/bitstream/handle/123456789/5612/proceeding_oct_08-77.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=yAt the commercial level, it is difficult to find quality medicinal plant material though it is important in Ayurvedic preparations. R. cordifolia is a common and important medicinal plant belongs to the Rubaceia family. It imports from India through favourable growing conditions that exist in Sri Lanka. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the important phytochemical properties of imported and locally available materials of Rubia cordifolia. The imported market sample was collected from the Uva Provincial Department of Ayurveda, Diyathalawa, and the fresh locally available sample was collected from Maspanna (IM1a) forest area in Welimada. Those samples were washed and dried under the shade, oven-dried at 40°C and sonication proceeded for phytochemical extraction using 70% methanol. Before the extraction, samples were observed for macroscopic and microscopic features of the root and stem. Phytochemical properties such as total polyphenols, antioxidant activity, flavonoid, and anthocyanin were quantitatively analysed by using standard protocols available in the literature with slight modifications. There was no significant difference between morphological characteristics of locally available Rubia cordifolia and Indian species according to the literature except the colour of the stem and roots. However physicochemical properties of the locally available sample are in better comparison to the imported market available sample. The 7.412± 0.45 mg gallic acid/1 g dry weight of polyphenol was received from the local sample and it was significantly higher amount compare to the imported sample (4.182 ± 0.399 mg gallic acid/1 g dry weight, p<0.05). A significantly high antioxidant activity was observed in the locally available sample 239.08 µg/ml compare to the imported sample 228.48µg/ml. Flavonoid content and monomeric anthocyanin in local available R.cordifolia is significantly lower than the imported sample of R.cordifolia. This implies the potential of using locally available materials for drug manufacturing and different Ayurveda preparations. Keywords: Antioxidants, Polyphenols, FlavonoidsenAgricultureAgriculture TechnologyAyurvedaOther