Free sugars, mucilage and amino acids of leaves of hibiscus esculentum L. var. lady finger

ABSTRACT

Free sugars, mucilage and amino acids contents of leaves of Hibiscus esculentus L., var. Lady's finger [Adelmoschus esculentus Moench, okra] were studied. GLC and PC analysis of free sugars and mucilage hydrolysates revealed the presence of rhamnose, arabinose, xylose fructose, glucose, galactose, galacturonic acid and glucuronic acid. Moreover, analysis of free amino acids content and total amino acids of protein hydrolysate was carried out by HPLC technique. The major free amino acid is tyrosine [0.76%], while glutamic acid [2.22%], aspartic acid [1.76%] and arginine [1.21%] constitute the main amino acids in the protein hydrolysate of the leaves of H. esculentus L., var. Lady's finger