Abstract
Wild plants are considered the richest source of essential nutrients and other beneficial phytochemicals. Hence, the objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritional composition, antioxidant- and α-amylase inhibition activities of leaves and roots of selected Bangladeshi wild plants. These wild plants were found to have high fiber (13.78–22.26 g/100 g), protein (7.08–21.56 g/100 g) and ash (8.21–21.43 g/100 g) contents. The total phenolic and total flavonoid contents were significantly higher in the leaves than the roots. Additionally, antioxidant activity was evaluated using ferric-reducing antioxidant power, 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assays and was strongly correlated with phenolic compounds. The leaf extracts of the selected plants also exhibited potent α-amylase inhibition (~71%) and were significantly higher than their root counterparts. Thus, the study findings concluded that the investigated plants were good sources of fiber, protein, mineral, natural antioxidant compounds and α-amylase inhibitors, and their increased intake could provide health benefits. The principal component analysis (PCA) of analyzed variables divided the samples into three clear groups, and the first two principal components accounted for 86.05% of the total data set variance.
Highlights
Vegetables are an integral part of the daily human diet and provide essential nutrients required for active and healthy life
To determine the proximate and mineral composition, total phenolic contents (TPC), total flavonoid contents (TFC), antioxidant capacities (DPPH, ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC)), and α-amylase inhibition activity, three wild plant samples were collected from different locations in Bangladesh
The moisture content of the wild plants ranged from 82.78 ± 2.68 to 88.13 ± 1.55 g/100g fresh weight (FW) in the leaves and 55.44 ± 2.22 to 70.41 ± 2.11 g/100g FW in roots, which is in accordance with results reported by other authors [4,5]
Summary
Vegetables are an integral part of the daily human diet and provide essential nutrients (vitamins and minerals) required for active and healthy life. A diet low in antioxidants and high in processed foods (e.g., red meat) can augment the production of endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) [8,9,10] which can lead to many of the chronic diseases stated above [11]. This demonstrates the need for natural antioxidant compounds which can prevent the overproduction of ROS.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
