ABSTRACT
Aims: The objective of the present work is the investigation of the physicochemical characteristics of seed coats and kernels from 24 species with medicinal and food applications. Methodology: Seeds from 24 species (2 herbs, 11 vines and 11 trees), belonging to 13 families, were sampled in Raipur (India) in 2017. The collected seeds were dried and weighed, after which seed coats were manually peeled and separately weighed. Phenolic and mineral contents in the seed coats and kernels were analyzed by spectrophotometric and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) techniques, respectively. Results: The seed coat fraction represented from 12% to 95% of the seed mass, depending on the species. The concentrations of total polyphenols, flavonoids and minerals in the seed coats varied from 1800 to 32300 mg/kg, from 1200 to 26900 mg/kg, and from 5876 to 36499 mg/kg, respectively. In the seed kernels, TPh, Fla and minerals ranged from 780 to 31760 mg/kg, from 300 to 12020 mg/kg, and from 12595 to 40810 mg/kg, respectively. P, S, K, Mg, Ca and Fe were found to be the main macro- and micro-elements. Seed coats from Loganiaceae, Phyllanthaceae, Lauraceae and Rutaceae families featured the highest total polyphenol contents, and those from Lauraceae and Rutaceae families showed the highest flavonoid concentrations. The highest total mineral contents corresponded to seed coats from Lauraceae, Rutaceae and Euphorbiaceae families. Conclusion: Indian-laurel and curry tree stand out as promising phytochemical and nutrient sources.
ABSTRACT
Aims: To study the spectral and thermal characteristics, and the oil, starch, polyphenol and mineral contents of seeds and leaves from three Sapotaceae species, provided that trees and shrubs of this family are an important source of nutritional and functional products. Methodology: Leaves and seeds from three Sapotaceae plants, namely Moa tree (Madhuca indica J. F. Gmel.), Chico sapote (Manilkara zapota (Linn.) van Royen) and Spanish cherry (Mimusops elengi Linn.), were collected in the Raipur area of Chhattisgarh, India. Their physicochemical characterization (including oil, polyphenol, starch and mineral contents; functional groups; and thermal degradation patterns) was carried out by using various techniques, viz. solvent extraction, spectrophotometry, enzymatic digestion, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies, thermogravimetric/derivative thermogravimetric (TG/DTG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), respectively. Results: The three Sapotaceae seeds under study were found to contain polyphenol, mineral, starch and oil contents in the 1850–23180 mg/kg, 11390–19385 mg/kg, 6.7–9.1% and 9.8-54.1% range, respectively. Their leaves and seed coats featured total phenolic contents in the 24260–28600 mg/kg and 7810–23060 mg/kg range, respectively, and mineral contents in the 8823–27462 mg/kg and 3619–15884 mg/kg range, respectively. The functional groups of the phytochemicals, studied by FTIR, were assigned. Their thermal decomposition patterns, which involved loss of water and volatile organic compounds, proteins, oil and starch/cellulose, were also described. Conclusion: The Sapotaceae leaves, seed coat, kernel and cake are enriched with very high contents of starch, proteins, polyphenols and minerals, suggesting their possible valorization in human food, animal feeding and as herbal medicines.