Determination of mineral elements, antioxidant activity and bio-active compounds of Allium prezewalskianum regel, an underutilized plant of Ladakh, India using ICP-AES, AAS and GC-MS

Abstract

Allium prezewalskianum also known as wild garlic, is a wild aromatic herbaceous plant that has been used as substitute for garlic in both food and medicine for treating various remedies since traditional times. Despite the traditional importance of this plant in Ladakh, there is no report available about the nutritional and phytochemical composition of this plant till date. Keeping in view the ethanobotanical importance of this plant, present study was aimed to assess and quantify the mineral elements, bioactive compounds and the antioxidant property of aerial parts of A. prezewalskianum. ICP-AES, AAS and flame photometer were used to analyze the mineral profile which indicated that K (47,080 ± 250 mg/kg) has highest content followed by Ca (17,770 ± 200 mg/kg) and Fe (135 mg/kg). Total phenol (34.6 ± 0.48 mg/g) and flavonoid content (46.25 ± 0.01 mg/g) along with the antioxidant activity using DPPH (127.01 ± 0.19 µg/mL) and FRAP (43.019 ± 1.735 mg/g) assay was also evaluated that showed high phenols and antioxidant activity compared to some cultivated species like A. porrum and A. ampeloprasum. Characterization of phytochemical profile by GCMS revealed 33 compounds from which 9-octadecenoic acid (z)-, methyl ester (10.45%), Hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester (9.01%), Hexadecanoic acid, 2‑hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl) ethyl ester (8.96%), 3,7,11,15-tetramethylhexadec-2-en-1-ol (8.84%) and Stigmast-5-en-3-ol, (3.beta.,24 s) (5.53%) are the major compounds identified. These bioactive compounds are known to have anticancer, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. Biochemical knowledge is essential to assess the health benefits and physiological effects of wild plants and to develop clinical studies on its mechanism of action, safety and efficacy. The findings indicated that A. prezewalskianum possesses health promoting minerals and are rich in phytochemicals which make it a treasured source to be utilized in food supplements, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical preparations.