Nutritional composition, bioactive compounds, and pharmacological activities of tossa jute sprout (Corchorus olitorius L.): A potential functional food

Abstract

This study investigated the food properties, phytochemical profiles, and pharmacological activities of tossa jute sprout, underscoring the exploration of its potential as a functional food. Tossa jute sprout is rich in protein, carbohydrate, fiber, total soluble solids, color content, total energy, vitamins, and minerals, with a lower fat and sugar content. Bioactive compound profiling found that it contains a significant quantity of total phenolics and flavonoids. The HPLC-DAD polyphenol profile detected ten compounds, with 3,4 dihydroxybenzoic acid being the most abundant compound, followed by (-) epicatechin, rosmarinic acid, kaempferol, catechin hydrate, caffeic acid, myricetin, catechol, trans-ferulic acid, and rutin hydrate. It has strong radical scavenging, reducing power, metal chelating power, and total antioxidant power, suggesting this sprout's ability to repair cellular oxidative damage or restore impaired cellular oxidative homeostasis. It also possesses strong α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase inhibition activities, but mild α-amylase, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibition activities support the sprout’s ability to lower blood sugar, suppress postprandial hyperglycemia, downregulate fat metabolism, and maintain or restore acetylcholine. Overall findings established tossa jute sprout’s high potential as a functional food in eliminating malnutrition, maintaining quality health, and eradicating or moderating ailments, including diabetes, obesity, and Alzheimer’s.