DETERMINATION OF NUTRITIVE VALUE AND MINERAL ELEMENTS OF FICUS BENGHALENSIS LINN. SEED

 ABSTRACTObjectives: This study was undertaken to assess the nutritive value and mineral contents of Ficus benghalensis seed locally prescribed as a diet forstomach ulcer.Methods: The nutrients were analyzed by using different biochemical methods while the mineral elements were analyzed by flame photometry andby using various titration methods.Results: Mineral element analysis revealed the presence of important macro and micro elements such as P, K, Na, Ca, Fe, Zn, Mg, Mn, Cu and Cr. Theresults for ash content, crude protein, crude carbohydrate, crude fat, crude fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin E content were 2.55%, 15.02%, 12.95%,2.56%, 19.45%, 203.45±1.877 mg/g, 517.65±0.875 mg/g respectively. Nutritional value of F. benghalensis was 134.92±1.250 Cal/100 g.Conclusion: Our findings provide evidence that the selected plant seeds contain an appreciable amount of nutrients and minerals and can be includedin diets to supplement our daily nutrient needs and to fight against many of the diseases as nutraceuticals.Keywords: Chemical analysis, Nutraceutical, Ficus benghalensis, Seed powder

QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION OF SECONDARY METABOLITES AND ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF FICUS BENGHALENSIS LINN SEED

Objective: To evaluate the phytochemical constituents and the antioxidant activity of ethanolic extract of Ficus benghalensis seed locally prescribed as a diet for peptic ulcer.Methods: Qualitative analysis of various phytochemical constituents and quantitative analysis of total phenolics, flavonoids and tannins were determined by the well-known test protocol available in the literature. The antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of ethanolic extract of the plant was assessed against DPPH, nitric oxide, lipid peroxidation and reducing power assay using standard protocols.Results: Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of phenols, flavones, tannins, carbohydrates, saponins, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, steroids, quinones, terpenoids and coumarins. The total tannin content of the ethanolic seed extract was high (127.121.508 TEg), followed by phenolics (80.461.868 GEg) and flavonoids (39.231.205 QEg). The activities of plant extract against DPPH, nitric oxide and lipid peroxidation were concentration dependent with IC50 values of 446.9, 596.0 and 557.0 µg respectively. The reducing ability of F. benghalensis was found to be 418.34 at 1000 μg.Conclusion: Our findings provide evidence that the crude extract of Ficus benghalensis is a potential source of natural antioxidants, and this justifies its use in folkloric medicine.Â

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF VARIOUS PHYTO-CONSTITUENTS IN PHOENIX PUSILLA UNRIPE FRUIT ETHANOLIC EXTRACT

  Objective: The aim of the present study was to perform preliminary phytochemical screening and in vitro antioxidant activity of Phoenix pusilla by using ethanol as solvent.Methods: The ethanol extract was screened for its potential antioxidant activity by 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and lipid peroxidation (LPO) inhibitory activity, and compounds such as phenols, tannins, flavonoids, vitamin C, vitamin E, protein, carbohydrates and lipids were quantified using in vitro techniques.Results: The total phenolic content of the ethanol unripe fruit extract was 4.22±0.18 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g of extract. The total flavonoid and tannin content of the plant were 2.39±0.22 mg quercetin equivalent/g of extract and 1.62±0.02 mg GAE/g of the extract respectively. DPPH radical scavenging effect of the extract was determined spectrophotometrically. P. pusilla extract showed a good antioxidant potential with IC50 of 37.64 μg/ ml and 8.88 μg/ml for LPO and DPPH assay respectively.Conclusion: The greater amount of phenolic compounds leads to more potent radical scavenging effect as shown by P. pusilla unripe fruit. In conclusion, the obtained results of the tests demonstrated that this plant might be used in the prevention and in the treatment of different diseases related to oxidative stress.Keywords: Oxidative stress, Medicinal plants, Date palm, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, Lipid peroxidation, Phenols