Okra Pods Research Articles

Phytochemicals, chlorophyll pigments, antioxidant activity, relative expansion ratio, and microstructure of dried okra pods: swell-drying by instant controlled pressure drop versus conventional shade drying

This study is aimed at comparing swell drying versus conventional shade drying and optimizing the texturing by instant controlled pressure drop (DIC) of green okra pods. Differences in quality attributes such as content of flavonoids, carotenoids, and chlorophyll pigments, functional characteristics such as the antioxidant activity (AOA), microstructure and relative expansion ratio of dried okra pods were considered. The DIC processing parameters were the saturated steam pressure (0.2-0.6 MPa) and duration (40-60 s). A 2-parameter, 5-level central composite rotatable design was selected for establishing the experimental trials. They represent 8 factorial and star trials, and five repetitions of central/middle point of the square edges. Significant variations in total phenolic and flavonoid contents, carotenoids, antioxidant activity, and chlorophyll pigments were observed between swell-dried and conventional shadow dried okra pods. An increase of 25% and 99% was respectively observed for the relative expansion ratio and flavonoid content in swell dried okra pods compared with conventional shadow dried ones. The microstructure observations showed a significantly more porous open solid matrix of swell-dried okra pods compared to the compact/dense solid matrix of the conventional shadow dried okra pods. The optimum conditions of DIC-texturing were found to be 0.4 MPa for 50 s exhibiting the highest values of total phenolic content, flavonoids, antioxidant activity, and chlorophyll pigments with good preservation of the carotenoid content.

Nutrient composition and anti-nutritional properties of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) calyx flour

PurposeCalyx of okra pods is usually cut off and discarded as a waste during processing, whereas the pulp and seeds are being used. This study aims to investigate the nutrient composition and anti-nutritional properties of okra calyx flour.Design/methodology/approachCalyces from four varieties (Ex-kwadon, Solar, Chalawa and Syria) of okra pods were processed into flour. The proximate composition, mineral content, vitamin content and anti-nutritional composition of the flour samples were analysed by using standard methods.FindingsThere were significant differences in moisture content (p = 0.012), crude fat (p = 0.001), crude fibre (p = 0.002), carbohydrate (p = 0.002), sodium (p < 0.001), magnesium (p < 0.001), iron (p < 0.001), zinc (p = 0.006), vitamin A (p < 0.001) and vitamin C (p = 0.001) contents of okra calyx flour. The values of proximate composition ranged 8.1-8.9%, 8.4-9.0%, 14.3-15.3%, 1.4-2.1%, 16.9-18.2% and 47.1-49.4% for moisture content, ash, crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre and carbohydrate, respectively, whereas the values of mineral contents ranged 7.6-8.7 mg/100g, 35.7-41.2 mg/100g, 26.5-28.1 mg/100g, 93.2-95.8 mg/100g, 1.6-1.8 mg/100g and 5.2-5.7 mg/100g for sodium, magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron and zinc, respectively. The values of vitamin contents of okra calyx flour ranged 0.2-0.3 µg/100g, 7.1-8.9 mg/100g and 0.1-0.2 mg/100g for vitamin A, vitamin C and thiamine contents respectively. Also, there were significant differences in the values of phytate (p = 0.023), oxalate (p = 0.011) and saponin (p < 0.001) contents with the values of anti-nutritional properties ranging 1.3-1.5 mg/100g, 2.5-3.3 mg/100g, 7.4-9.7 mg/100g and 2.3-3.6 mg/100g for tannin, phytate, oxalate and saponin contents, respectively.Research limitations/implicationsThere are scanty published works/information on proximate composition, mineral content, vitamin content and anti-nutritional composition of okra calyx flour.Practical implicationsThe study showed that okra calyx flour could be useful in fortification/supplement of carbohydrate-based foods in food system.Originality/valueOkra calyx flour comprises high crude fibre, crude protein, ash and vitamin C contents. Also, calcium is the major mineral content of okra calyx flour followed by magnesium and potassium. However, the tannin content reported higher in okra leaf flour, and okra flour is low in okra calyx flour.

Fine structure, physicochemical and antioxidant properties of LM-pectins from okra pods dried under different techniques

This work investigates the effect of drying okra pods by different techniques [freeze-drying (FD), sun-drying (SD), oven-drying (OD) and microwave-drying (MD)] on the molecular structure, physicochemical and antioxidant properties of the subsequently extracted OP. Remarkably, although the degree of methyl esterification (∼41.1 %) remained similar among samples, the content of galacturonic acid (62.67–68.77 %), average number molecular weight (MnI: 758.8–808.5 kDa, MnII: 20.9–24.2 kDa), and to a greater extent the apparent viscosity of an aqueous solution of pectin molecules, water holding capacity (0.21–10.71 g/g) and emulsifying activity (42.3–72.7 %) and stability (38.6–53.5 %), decreased with the drying temperature in the order of FD-OP > SD-OP > OD-OP > MD-OP. On the other hand, only FD-OP presented a higher proportion of galactan and/or arabinan side chains [(Ara + Gal) / Rha = 12.37%] compared to the rest of the samples, with values ranging from 7.79 to 9.17%. FD-OP and SD-OP resulted in lower DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities.

Antioxidant and Nephroprotective Effects of Okra Pods Extract (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) against Lead Acetate-Induced Toxicity in Mice.

In this study, we determine the curative effects of okra pods (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) extract against lead acetate toxicity in mice kidney. n-Hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol solvent were used for extracting okra pods. The role of the extract as an antioxidant was tested by DPPH and FRAP methods. The methanol extract was used for experiments in animals. A total of 30 male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into six equal groups: normal control, negative control (lead-induced), and treatment groups (lead-induced for 28 days and administration of methanol extract at doses of 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg BW for the 28 days). The following were analyzed in all groups: activity of the antioxidant enzymes, namely, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT); oxidant level, namely, malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO); and markers of kidney injury, namely, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cre). Kidney histopathology was also evaluated. This study showed that the methanol extract showed the highest antioxidant activity (IC50 is 35.21 µg/mL, and FRAP is 57.58 µM Fe2+/g). The CAT and SOD activities increased significantly in okra-treated groups (P < 0.05). The okra administration groups experienced a significant decrease in MDA, NO, BUN, and Cre levels (P < 0.05). Thickness of the epithelial proximal tubule, diameter of the proximal tubule, and percentage of necrotic cells in proximal tubule decreased, but the diameter ratio of glomerular Bowman's capsule in mice treated with okra was optimally improved and repaired like normal control (P < 0.05). The results of this study reveal that methanol extract has a very strong antioxidant effect and can reduce the influence of toxicity induced by lead acetate in mice kidney.

Innovative preparation, physicochemical characteristics and functional properties of bioactive polysaccharides from fresh okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench)

In this study, three-phase partitioning (TPP) coupled with gradient ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4) precipitation (GNP) method was first used to extract and separate bioactive polysaccharides (OPSs) from fresh okra pods. Results showed that OPS-50 obtained by GNP at a saturation of 50% (NH4)2SO4 after TPP presented higher precipitation yield, carbohydrate (86.82%) and uronic acid (22.34%) contents with same monosaccharide composition and different molar ratios compared with OPS-30 and OPS-40 obtained via GNP at saturations of 30% and 40% (NH4)2SO4, respectively. OPS-50 had lower weight-average molecular weight (3.65 × 106 g/mol), more flexible chain, and relatively looser surface structure compared with OPS-30, OPS-40, and the OPS obtained with TPP parallelized with decreased apparent viscosity and dynamic viscoelasticity. Furthermore, OPS-50 exhibited stronger DPPH radical-scavenging ability, antioxidant capacity, and α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities in vitro than OPS, OPS-30, and OPS-40.

Purification and characterization of pectins from Abelmoschus esculentus (okra pods) and Citrus limetta (citrus peels) and in silico binding study of pectin and pectic polysaccharides with galectin-1

Galectins are a class of animal lectins that bind to β-galactoside residues through a conserved carbohydrate recognition domain of about 130 amino acids. The carbohydrate-binding specificity of mammalian galectins revealed its affinity toward lactose, related beta-galactosides, and any glycoconjugates with a nonreducing galactoside terminus. Recent studies have indicated that galectin-1 upregulation impacts progression of tumor through its pleiotropic roles such as cell transformation and proliferation, angiogenesis, adhesion, and invasiveness and immunosuppression. Several galectin-1 inhibitors such as thiodigalactoside, Anginex GM-CT-01 and GR-MD-02 have been designed for applications in cancer therapy. GM-CT-01 (DAVANAT), a modified polysaccharide, composed of mannose and galactose (galactomannan) and a variant of DAVANAT, GR-MD-02, which is a polysaccharide with a backbone of rhamnogalacturonate and branches that terminate with galactose and arabinose residues are produced from chemically processed and modified industrial-grade apple pectin are also found to be beneficial in therapy toward cancer as well as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Various reports have also presented evidence that galectin-1-targeted therapy will play a major role to reduce the distribution of tumor cells, inhibit angiogenesis, and restrict tumor growth, thus seeing the importance of pectins and pectin polysaccharides in cancer therapy, we purified and characterized pectins from okra pods (Abelmoschusesculentus) and citrus peels (Citruslimetta) and studied the residual protein content, total carbohydrate content, characteristic properties using Fourier-transform infrared, galacturonic acid content, equivalent weight, and methoxyl content and methyl esterification of extracted okra and citrus pectins. We further performed insilico binding study of pectin and pectic polysaccharides with Galectin-1.

A Novel Therapeutic effects of Sargassum ilicifolium Alginate and Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) Pods extracts on Open wound healing process in Diabetic Mice

This study aims to evaluate the effects of alginate extract from Sargassum ilicifolium and okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) pods extract on the re-epithelialization rate of the wound area and the number of neutrophils, macrophages, fibroblasts, fibrocytes, and collagen density in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. This study was done in vivo using male mice (strain BALB/C, 3 to 4 months old, 30 to 40g). The normal control group (KN) and the diabetic groups (induced by streptozotocin). The diabetic group was divided into 9 groups: three diabetic control groups (KD), three alginate treatment groups (KAI), and three treatment groups of alginate-okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) pods extract (KAIO). The treatment dose was 50 mg/kg body weight. Measurement of fasting blood sugar levels was done before and after streptozotocin injection. The treatment was carried out in three different time periods: 3 days, 7 days, and 14 days. Then, mice skin was cut and proceed for histopathological analysis. Interestingly, we indicated that the administration of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) pods extract combined with alginate from Sargassum ilicifolium could increase the rate of re-epithelialization of the wound area, increase the number of neutrophils, macrophages, fibroblasts, fibrocytes, as well as increase synthesized collagen. The combined extract was able to improve the healing process of open wounds in diabetic mice. Therefore, it can be concluded that the administration of alginate from Sargassum ilicifolium and okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) pods extract was able to improve open wounds healing in diabetic mice due to the role of antioxidant from polysaccharides and quercetin which acted as anti-hyperglycemic to anti-inflammatory properties.

Optimization Techniques for the Extraction of Soluble Dietary Fiber from Okra with Complex Enzymes and Its Physicochemical Properties and Structure Characterization

Soluble dietary fiber from okra pods was obtained by mixed enzyme extraction method. Effects of enzyme content,material-to-water ratio,extraction temperature and extraction time on the extraction of SDF were investigated by single-factor experiments. Based on single-factor experiments,response surface analysis was employed to investigate the optimal parameters of the extraction. Physicochemical properties and structure characterizations of the SDF extracted under optimal conditions were studied. The result showed that the optimal conditions were as follows:Material-to-water ratio 1:24 g/mL,enzyme content 1.8%,extraction time 54 min,extraction temperature 62℃,under these conditions,the yield of SDF achieved 10.94%,the relative error with the predicted value was 1.48%. The SDF from okra exhibited significant water holding capacity(5.61 g/g),swelling capacity(3.35 mL/g)and oil holding capacity(4.88 g/g),which could be developed as ingredient of laxative functional food in the future. Microstructure of SDF from okra showed that starch substances on its surface were removed completely. The crystal structure of okra SDF accorded with crystal form of cellulose I. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of SDF accorded with typical characteristics of dietary fibers.

The influence of extraction pH on the chemical compositions, macromolecular characteristics, and rheological properties of polysaccharide: The case of okra polysaccharide

Extraction pH plays an essential role in influencing the characteristics and functions of polysaccharides. However, the systematic study on the influence under a broad range and diverse gradient of pH is limited. In this study, polysaccharides from okra pods (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) were prepared using six extraction solutions with pH of 2.0, 4.0, 5.7, 8.0, 10.0, and 12.0. Physicochemical properties of the okra polysaccharides were then investigated. The respective results of the yield, protein content, total carbohydrate content, and degree of esterification of the polysaccharide samples were in the range of 7.68–20.15%, 1.38–3.79%, 67.86–88.77%, and 56.42–73.85% depending on the extraction pH. All polysaccharide samples, with a RG-I pectic structure subunit, were mainly composed of galactose, galacturonic acid, rhamnose, glucose, and arabinose. The molar ratio of the monosaccharides varied depending on the extraction pH and the side chain length of the RG-I backbone for acidic-extracted polysaccharides was larger than that for alkaline-extracted polysaccharides. In addition, the molecular weight increased with increasing extraction pH under acidic extraction conditions, whereas decreased when the pH rose to the alkaline range. Furthermore, rheological measurements revealed that all polysaccharide samples behaved as pseudoplastic fluids over a range of shear rates (0.1–100 s−1) and exhibited different viscosity and viscoelastic behaviors due to the variation in chemical compositions and macromolecular characteristics. The results indicate that the preparation of polysaccharides with specific characteristics and functions could be controlled by adjusting extraction pH.

Effect of drying methods on physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities of okra pods

The effects of hot air drying (HD), freeze-drying (FD), microwave drying (MWD), natural convective drying (NCD), and vacuum drying (VD) on the physicochemical, nutritional, and antioxidant properties of okra pods were investigated. Changes in the surface morphology, color, rehydration ratio, protein, pectin, ascorbic acid, and phenolics, as well as antioxidant activities of okra pods measured by 2,2′-azinobis (3-ethylbenzo thiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and Ferric Ion Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assays were evaluated. In general, FD products exhibited a better retention of the texture characteristics, nutritional, and antioxidant activities, and was suitable for okra pods drying, although FD was the longer time-consuming method among the five drying methods. Furthermore, NCD products were poorer in color, texture, and nutrition. Future studies should continuously focus on various combinations of different types of drying methods to supply okra pods products with the most affordable cost and the highest quality. Practical applications Physicochemical properties and antioxidant capacities of okra pods are affected by the drying process. The drying process with nonthermal, low temperature, and low content of oxygen is beneficial to the retention of nutrients and functional components. In general, freeze-drying exhibited a better texture characteristics and good antioxidant activities, although higher energy and longer time consumption was the current challenge. How to combine the different types of drying methods has become an inevitable trend and research focus.

Nutrient, phytochemical and sensory evaluation of biscuits produced from composite flours of wheat enriched with okra pod

The study evaluated the nutrient, phytochemical and sensory evaluation of biscuits made from composite flours of wheat and okra pod for enrichment. Wheat flour, fresh okra pods and all ingredients used in biscuit making were purchased from Relief market Owerri, Imo State. The okra pod was washed, sliced into pieces, oven dried at 60oC for 8 hours and milled into flour. The biscuits were formulated as 100% wheat flour (WF), 80% wheat flour : 20% okra pod flour (WOF1), 70% wheat flour :30% okra pod flour (WOF2) and 60% wheat flour:40% okra pod flour (WOF3). Chemical and sensory analysis was carried using standard methods. Results were expressed using means and standard deviation using SPSS. Biscuit WOF3 had the highest moisture (13.56±1.16%), ash (3.49±0.01%) and protein (14.99±1.38%) contents, while biscuit WF recorded the highest fat (15.68±0.22%), crude fiber (2.73±0.05%), carbohydrate (63.03±0.32%) and energy (439.08±2.93%) contents. The mineral composition shows that biscuit WOF3 recorded the highest calcium (212.50±0.010mg/100g), magnesium (83.50±0.009mg/100g), potassium (594.00±0.00mg/100g) and manganese (1457.00±0.24mg/100g), while biscuit WOF1 had highest iron (109.12±0.88 mg/100g) and copper (23.00±0.42mg/100g) . The anti-nutrients revealed that biscuit WOF1 was highest tannin content (0.22±0.025mg/100g), biscuit WOF2 had the highest phenol content (1.41±0.001 mg/100g), while biscuit WOF2 had the highest oxalate content (1.06±0.082 mg/100g). The sensory scores of the enriched biscuits shows biscuit WF3 rated best in aroma (5.46±1.63), colour (4.66±1.68) and taste (5.54±1.69) and general acceptability (5.94±1.73), biscuit WOF rated best in crispness (4.66±1.89) while biscuit WOF2 rated best in texture (5.18±1.68). The study revealed that acceptable biscuit of high nutritional content could be produced.Keywords: Okra, wheat, biscuit, enrichment

Traditional Medicine and Its Role in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus: "Patients' and Herbalists' Perspectives".

Background Diabetes mellitus is a complicated health condition with multiple causes and many treatment options. Various myths may influence diabetics' health-seeking behavior, and they may use traditional medicines, which include normal foods and herbs, for primary health care. The aim of this study was to determine patients' and herbalists' practices and perspectives regarding the use of traditional medicines and the role of traditional medicines in the management of diabetes. Methods and Findings We conducted a cross-sectional study with a mixed-methods design. We interviewed 140 patients attending diabetic clinics using a structured questionnaire, conducted focus group discussions with an additional 20 diabetic patients, and conducted in-depth interviews with 8 local herbalists. The majority of the diabetic participants believed that diabetes is caused by a high-carbohydrate diet. Of the 140 participants who answered the questionnaire, 67.2% reported using traditional medicines to manage their diabetes, including 58.6% who reported using both conventional medicines and traditional medicines. Some participants believed that combining conventional and traditional medicines improved the effectiveness of treatment. Reasons given for using traditional medicines included the high cost of conventional treatment and the availability and accessibility of the traditional medicines. The most commonly used traditional medicines were indigenous vegetables and medicinal plant products including amalanth leaves, hare lettuce leaves, nightshade leaves, spider plant leaves, okra pods, moringa leaves and seeds, soursop leaves, black plum back, avocado seed, and lemongrass. Conclusion Patients and herbalists provided a range of perspectives regarding the use of traditional medicines to treat diabetes. Further research is needed to identify bioactive compounds present in commonly used traditional medicines and their efficacy.

Exogenous putrescine treatment delays chilling injury in okra pod (Abelmoschus esculentus) stored at low storage temperature

Okra as tropical crop is susceptible to chilling injury (CI), which limit the usage of low storage temperature. Polyamine, particularly putrescine (Put) has been proposed to play important role in plant to cope with cold stress. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of polyamines treatment specifically Put on alleviating the CI in okra when exposed to low storage temperature. Okra pods were dipped into Put at 0, 0.5 mM, 1 mM and 2 mM and stored at 4 °C. The results showed that 2 mM Put effectively reduced CI symptoms of okra. Interestingly, seed browning increased with severity of CI. Meanwhile, Put treatment significantly reduced seed browning by retarding the activity polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) enzymes. Additionally, Put treatment elevated total phenolics, total antioxidant activity (DPPH radical scavenging activity and FRAP), antioxidant enzymes (CAT and SOD) activity and contributed to low hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde content.

Okra pectin as lecithin substitute in chocolate

The effect of okra (Abelmoschus spp.) pectin as an emulsifier on the yield, textural properties, sensory and consumer acceptability of different chocolate formulations was investigated. Pectin was isolated from okra pods and incorporated into milk chocolate as lecithin substitute (emulsifier) at different levels (10–100%). Texture profile analysis and sensory evaluation (5-point hedonic scale) was performed on the different chocolate formulations. It was found that with increasing pectin content viscosity of the mixed system increased during milling and conching, which resulted in slower flow rate during draining from the ball mill and decreased yield. Substitution at 25:0 (%) (pectin: lecithin) yielded 84 bars of 9 g of chocolate per 1500 g of formulation after draining for 30 min compared to formulations containing lecithin. Chocolate samples 25:75 (%) (pectin:lecithin) had the highest overall acceptability (4.37 ± 0.30) which was not significantly different (p> 0.05) from sample 25:0 with overall acceptability of 4.23 ± 0.30. All the chocolate samples from the various formulations studied had similar sensory properties as well as textural parameters (hardness, cohesiveness, adhesiveness, springiness and chewiness). The present findings suggest that it is possible to use okra pectin as emulsifier to produce milk chocolate which is acceptable to consumers.

Development and Evaluation of a Simple Grading Machine for Okra Pods

It will be helpful for farmers and market dealers to determine their prices by more accurate ways accepted to the consumer. So grading plays an active role in the marketing attractiveness. The main objective of this study was to develop, test and evaluate a small grading machine of okra pods to suitable for small Egyptian growers. Two machines parameters each of four levels were studied such as fruit feeding rates (350, 400, 450 and 500 kg/h), speed of reel sizer 20, 35, 50, and 65 rpm (0.419, 0.733, 1.047 and 1.361 m/s), and two types of mesh shape (square cells and parallel bars cells) on the machine grading capacity (kg/h), and efficiency (%). The mechanical damage percentages of okra pods were also determined. Results showed that this machine is quite successful for grading okra crop. The best result was obtained at 400 kg/h fruit feeding rate, and 35 rpm reel speed using parallel bars cell shape. At these levels the maximum grading efficiency of 95.2 % were obtained with machine grading capacity of 331 kg/h . At the same feeding rate 400kg/h using square cells at rotating speed of the sieves of 50 rpm, the maximum grading efficiency of 92.6 % was obtained which coincided with machine grading capacity of 335 kg/h. The mechanical damage for okra pods under study increased when grading process was carried by square cells compared with parallel bars. Grading okra pods by the proposed machine at optimum grading conditions, produced mechanical damage lower than the limits permitted for the market (5%).

Effect of Different Irrigation Sources on Growth, Yield and Heavy Metals Accumulation in Tomato and Okra

Field experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of different irrigation sources (canal, tube-well and sewage) on growth, yield and heavy metal uptake of two summer vegetables i.e. tomato and okra. Growth attributes (plant height, number of leaves, relative leaf chlorophyll content and leaf area) and yield components (number of fruits / pods per plant and fruit size) of okra and tomato were significantly increased with sewage water application. Lesser growth and yield of the studied vegetables was recorded with tube-well water. Use of sewage water improved total yields and fresh and dry plant biomass production of both the vegetables. Significantly higher and lower lead (Pb), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr) and iron (Fe) contents were recorded in edible parts of the sewage and tube-well water irrigated vegetables, respectively. Edible parts (tomato fruits and okra pods) of the sewage water irrigated vegetables exhibited heavy metals contents above the maximum permissible limits. Leaf and root samples of the sewage water irrigated tomato and okra also contained significantly greater metals contents as compared to those irrigated with canal and tube-well water. It is concluded that vegetables irrigated with sewage water produced greater yields but these were found contaminated with heavy metals.

Evaluation of Some Specific Components Existences in Okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus L. (Moench)) Cultivated from Different Areas

Studies on the chemical composition of okra pods (Abelmoschus esculentus Moench) were carried out. Mean concentrations of moisture contents were about 84.67 - 87.65%, crude protein 2.367 - 3.41 %, fat 4.343 - 4.523% ash 10.314 - 12.197%, carbohydrate 67.857 - 82.261 % and fiber 6.781 - 8.314 % were reported. Sugars (fructose, glucose and sucrose) were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Water-soluble polysaccharide values were ranged from 11.22 to 17.35 g/100g. After ashing, the mineral constituents (Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Fe, pb, As, Se, Cr, Cd, and Mn) were separately analyzed (using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer) and recorded which met the recommended dietary allowance.

Therapeutic Effect of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus Moench) Pods Extract on Streptozotocin-Induced Type-2 Diabetic Mice

The aims of this study were to determine the effect of various fractions of okra pods extract (VOPE) to the changes of fasting blood glucose, serum insulin, and GLUT4 density on streptozotocin-induced type-2 diabetic mice. This study employed 36 male Balb/c strain mice. The samples were divided into seven groups, KN (normal control), KD (diabetic control), KA (acarbose control), EK (crude extract), NP (non-polar), SP (semipolar), and EP (polar). VOPE and acarbose were administered orally for 14 days in streptozotocin-induced type2 diabetic mice. Mice with type-2 diabetes mellitus were induced by the intraperitoneal injection of multiple low-dose streptozotocin (30 mg/kg body weight) daily for five consecutive days. On 15th day, mice were terminated. The data of fasting blood glucose, serum insulin, and GLUT4 density were analyzed and interestingly it showed that the administration of VOPE could ameliorate the fasting blood glucose, serum insulin, and GLUT4 density. Therefore, it can be suggested that VOPE can be regarded as a promising antidiabetic agent in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.

Antioxidant Potency of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus Moench) Pods Extract on SOD Level and Tissue Glucose Tolerance in Diabetic Mice

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of various fractions of okra pods extract (VOPE) on superoxide dismutase (SOD) level and tissue glucose tolerance in the streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic mice. This study was using 35 male Balb/c strain mice. The samples were divided into seven groups, namely KN (normal control), KD (diabetic control), KA (acarbose control), EK (crude extract), NP (non-polar), SP (semipolar), and EP (polar). VOPE and acarbose suspension were administered orally for 14 days in the STZ-induced diabetic mice. Intraperitoneal injection of multiple low-dose STZ (30mg/kg body weight) induced diabetes daily for five consecutive days. On the 15th day, the mice were terminated. Data of SOD level and tissue glucose tolerance were analyzed by ANOVA, at α = 0.05. This study concluded that the administration of VOPE could increase SOD level and tissue glucose tolerance in the STZ-induced diabetic mice. In conclusion, VOPE is a promising antioxidant agent due to its antihyperglycemic properties.

Crude Polysaccharides from Okra Pods (Abelmoschus esculentus) Grown in Indonesia Enhance the Immune Response due to Bacterial Infection.

Okra pods were widely consumed by Indonesians to maintain health. The aim of this study was at investigating the potential of crude polysaccharides from okra pods on immune response in mice infected with Staphylococcus aureus. Thirty male Balb/C mice were divided into six groups: normal control, negative control, and treatment groups (administration of crude polysaccharides at doses of 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg/kg). Crude polysaccharides were administrated for fourteen days. Furthermore, mice were exposed to S. aureus at the fifteenth day. Two weeks after the end of treatment, the parameters were measured. This study showed that crude polysaccharides at a dose of 75 and 100 mg/kg improved phagocytic activity, spleen index, and splenocytes proliferation. Rising of TNF-α levels was shown in groups treated with crude polysaccharides at doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg. All treatment groups showed a decreasing level of IL-17. Crude okra polysaccharides also showed a slight increase in NK cells activity and IFN-γ level. Thus, crude okra polysaccharides could act as an effective material to enhance immune response including phagocytic activity, spleen index, splenocytes proliferation, and control immune responses through cytokine production.