Antioxidant activity and nutritional assessment of under-utilized medicinal plants

ABSTRACT

The present study investigates the nutritive and anti-nutritive composition of six species [Allium porrum, Amaranthus spinosis, Apium graveolens, Caralluma edulis, Chenopodium album, Urtica dioica]. The studied species contained considerable amount of crude protein [4.53-11.41%], crude fat [1.25-3.74%], vitamin C [7.85-28.09mg 100[-1]g] and beta-Carotene [18.29-169.33mg 100]-1]g]. The mineral profile of Chenopodium album is considered as potential source of Zn [14.51 +/- 1.14mg 100[-1]g], Mn [67.71 +/- 0.85mg 100[-1]g], Se [8.45 +/- 0.49mg 100[-1]g] and Fe [182.08 +/- 1.52mg 100[-1]g] and Caralluma edulis as potential source of Fe [7.28 +/- 0.03mg 100[-1]g]. Ca and P content ranged 63-306mg 100[-1] g and 12-392mg 100[-1] g in all studied plants with exceptionally high level was found in Chenopodium album [1084mg 100[-1]g] and [3924mg 100[-1]g], respectively. Similarly, total phenol, tannin and phytic acid were found in the range of 105-354, 5-90 and 10-85mg 100[-1]g, respectively. Total oxalates and soluble oxalates contents were below 200mg 100[-1]g in five examined plants with the exception of Chenopodium album [413mg 100[-1]g]. Antioxidant activity of Caralluma edulis was found maximum while the rest of the examined plants had moderate levels