Multidirectional insights into nutritional, phytochemical, antioxidant capability and multivariate analysis of underutilized edible berry plant (Salacia macrosperma Wight) – A novel source for food and pharmaceutical industry

Salacia species are routinely exercised as dietary supplements and pharmaceuticals. However, there is limited research on composition of nutrients, phytochemicals and bio-accessibility of S. macrosperma. This study depicted the composition of nutrients, phytochemicals and antioxidant properties of edible and non-edible parts of S. macrosperma. Seeds showed higher amount of proteins and moisture, whereas carbohydrates, total sugar, starch and fibre were abundant in the stem. Highest occurrence of Vitamin C was in immature and ripened fruits. Minerals such as calcium, nitrogen, sodium, iron and boron were identified as principal minerals in S. macrosperma. Higher quantity of total phenolics and flavonoids were reported in leaves and root bark respectively, whereas reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography confirmed dominant occurrence of gallic acid in all plant parts. Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopic analysis identified 23 phytochemicals which had never been reported in S. macrosperma. The results confirmed the roots as foremost source of mangiferin. Methanolic leaf extract possesses maximum antioxidant properties followed by fruits. Multiple factor analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis established the possible relationship between studied parameters. Apart from edible berries, non-edible parts of S. macrosperma also possesses good amount of nutrients, phytochemicals and antioxidants which encourages its application as functional food and pharmaceuticals

Extraction efficiency, phytochemical profiles and antioxidative properties of different parts of Saptarangi (Salacia chinensis L.) – An important underutilized plant

The study aimed to evaluate extraction efficiency, detection and quantification of phytochemicals, minerals and antioxidative capacity of different parts of Salacia chinensis L. Continuous shaking extraction, steam bath assisted extraction, ultrasonic extraction and microwave assisted extraction with varied time intervals were employed for extraction of phenolics, flavonoids, and antioxidants. Preliminary screening revealed the presence of wide array of metabolites along with carbohydrates and starch. Steam bath assisted extraction for 10 min exposure was found most suitable for extraction phenolics (46.02 ± 2.30 mg of gallic acid equivalent per gram of dry weight and 48.57 ± 2.42 mg of tannic acid equivalent per gram of dry weight) and flavonoids (35.26 ± 1.61 mg of quercetin equivalent per gram of dry weight and 51.60 ± 2.58 mg of ellagic acid equivalent per gram of dry weight). In support, reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography- diode array detector confirmed the presence of seven pharmaceutically important phenolic acids. Antioxidant capacity was measured by 1, 1- diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2, 2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) scavenging (ABTS) and N, N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine (DMPD) assays and represented as trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and ascorbic acid equivalent antioxidant capacity (AEAC). Antioxidant capacity ranged from 121.02 ± 6.05 to 1567.28 ± 78.36 µM trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity and 56.62 ± 2.83 to 972.48 ± 48.62 µM ascorbic acid equivalent antioxidant capacity. Roots showed higher yields of illustrated biochemical parameters, however fresh fruit pulp was found a chief source of minerals. Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopic analysis revealed the presence of a vast array of phytoconstituents associated with different plant parts. The present study revealed the amounts of minerals and diverse phytoconstituents in various parts of S. chinensis and confirmed its medicinal and nutritional implications

Total phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant properties of three Ceropegia species from Western Ghats of India

AbstractThe aim of present work was to assess the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), phenolic compounds and antioxidant properties of various extracts of three Ceropegia spp.: Ceropegia spiralis, Ceropegia panchganiensis and Ceropegia evansii from Western Ghats of India. TPC of the samples varied from 0.3±0.2 to 28.5±0.3mg TAE/g FW, whereas, TFC of the samples ranged between 0.1±0.1 and 15.3±0.3mg RE/g FW. The major phenolic compounds identified were gallic acid, vanillin, cathechol and ferulic acid. All the extracts possess 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) as well as metal chelating ability and this was also supported by significant correlation with TPC and TFC. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper presenting comprehensive data on TPC, TFC, phenolic profile and antioxidant properties of the Ceropegia spp

In vitro regeneration approaches for restoration of Ceropegia mohanramii—an endemic and critically endangered asclepiad

Abstract The study aimed to develop an efficient, rapid, and large-scale in vitro regeneration system for propagation, conservation, and restoration of an endemic and critically endangered herb, Ceropegia mohanramii. The cultures were established using nodal explants on Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP: 1.0 mg/l). Nodal buds cultured on MS medium supplemented with BAP (2.0 mg/l) along with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA, 0.5 mg/l) resulted with production of maximum number of shoots (17.1 ± 1.2) in hundred percent of the cultures. MS medium supplemented with BAP (2.0 mg/l) along with diverse concentrations of indole-3acetic acid (IAA) promoted the in vitro flowering. In vitro regenerated shoots were transferred to one-half MS medium fortified with singular supplementation of auxins, where IBA (1.5 mg/l) served optimal for production of maximum number of roots (5.7 ± 0.6). In vitro derived plantlets were hardened under controlled conditions in a glasshouse and subsequently transferred to soil. Over 1200 saplings were transplanted to eight different localities of the Western Ghats where over 76% survival is recorded after 1 year of transplantation.</jats:p