Premium
Variations in phytochemicals, proximate and nutrient constituents of Trichosanthes cucumerina L. plant (804.32)
Author(s) -
Adeyemo Oyenike,
Olaitan Olanrewaju,
Smith Oshinowo
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.28.1_supplement.804.32
Subject(s) - phytochemical , trichosanthes , proximate , saponin , nutrient , chemistry , terpenoid , glycoside , horticulture , phenols , potassium , sugar , botany , traditional medicine , food science , biology , medicine , biochemistry , alternative medicine , organic chemistry , pathology , traditional chinese medicine
Trichosanthes cucumerina L. is used for food and medicine. In this study, the young and old T. Cucumerina seeds, leaves, fruits and roots (dried powder) were analysed for phytochemicals, proximate and nutrient constituents using chemical tests and standard spectrophotometric methods. Phytochemical qualitative analysis revealed the absence of cardiac glycosides, and saponin in all plant parts while tannins and phenols were present only in old leaves and terpenoids in young and old seeds and roots. Phlobatanin is not contained in young fruit and seeds but present in other parts. Steroids, flavonoids, alkaloids and reducing sugar were found to be major phytochemicals in all plant parts and their levels increased significantly (P < 0.05) in T. cucumerina old parts. The young and old parts of T. cucumerina variant contain varying concentration of nutrients. Calcium ranged from 13.05 to 152.41 mg/100 g with a mean of 88.26 mg/100 g, potassium (13.20‐26.60, mean = 23.32 mg/100 g), magnesium (30.28‐50.10, mean = 39 mg/100 g), sodium (3.45‐52.25, mean = 22.9 mg/100 g and iron (10.40‐65.50, mean = 32.96 mg/100 g) were the most abundant. Proximate of all parts showed a high moisture content (mean =71.8 %) except in roots and old seeds contained high crude fats (mean = 15.75 %). The study has revealed the T. Cucumerina variant has useful nutrients and flavonoids and can be utilized as sources of minerals and antioxidants respectively.