Biochemical and Nutritional Evaluation of Monochoria vaginalis Presl.

Abstract

Monochoria vaginalis of Pontederiaceae is an aquatic herb mostly found in tropical regions of India in places such as ditches, rice fields and on margins of water reservoirs, pool, marshes and swamps. It has a short suberect, spongy root stock and long petiolated leaves. This weedy leafy plant commonly known as ‘Karim Koovalam’ possesses numerous medicinal properties. The root is used to cure toothache, asthma, stomach and liver disorders. The entire plant excluding the root is eaten as vegetable by Paniya and Chetti tribes of Wayanad District in Kerala, and the leaves are used to treat cough, fever, etc. The paste of the tuber is used externally as an antidote to snakebite poisoning among the Kadars in the Anaimalai Hills of Tamil Nadu. Phytochemical and nutritional analysis of this plant with diverse medicinal properties will be helpful to explore untapped potentialities of the plant for effective and sustainable utilization. Extract was taken from young, mature leaves and mature petiole using different solvents like methanol, acetone, chloroform and petroleum ether for biochemical analysis. Various phytochemicals like reducing sugar, glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, steroids, terpenoids, coumarins, saponins, anthraquinones, phlobatannins and iridoids were analysed and found to be present actively. Nutritional factors like total carbohydrates, total proteins, total reducing sugar, different amino acids, free fatty acids, crude fibre, lipids, total moisture content and vitamins were quantified using standard estimation procedures. Antinutritional factors like phytic acid, total phenol, tannic acid and trypsin inhibitor were also estimated. Micronutrients and different pigments were quantified. Result showed that maximum amount of total carbohydrates, total protein, reducing sugar and amino acids like methionine were present in young leaf. This plant can be proposed as alternative nutrient rich leafy vegetable and can be utilized in a sustainable way. Phytochemical evaluation along with the sustainable utilization and domestication of edible plants from the wild will definitely help to achieve food security of the nation.