GC-MS analysis and antioxidant potential of wild underutilized medicinally important legume, velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens L. DC.)

Abstract

Mucuna pruriens (L). DC is one of the most promising wild underutilized medicinal legume belonging to family Fabaceae. It is used in ayurvedic as well as various traditional systems of medicine. This plant was widely utilized in treatment of various disorders. Also, it is a rich source of nutrients as well as used as a flavouring agent in bakery industry. The present study was aimed to investigate leaves and seeds antioxidant potential by DPPH assay and phytochemicals by preliminary phytochemical screening and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis in five different solvents. Highest antioxidant activity was found to be 76.96% in seeds extracted with ethanol and 72.50% in leaves extracted with petroleum ether. While preliminary phytochemical screening revealed presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, saponins, glycosides, steroids and terpenoids. GC-MS analysis revealed twenty-four and thirty bioactive compounds from the leaves and seeds respectively and it was solvent specific. Antioxidant, antifungal, antimicrobial, anti-malarial, anti-diabetic, anti-cancerous, and hypocholesterolemic properties have been reported to compounds which were found in present study. However, reported bioactive compounds highlight its nutritional importance and validate the use of the plant to cure various disorders by traditional practitioners. While the antioxidant potential and phytochemical investigations will direct their potential for utilization and applicability as a nutraceutical.