Nutritional analysis, phytochemical screening, and total phenolic content of Basella alba leaves from the Philippines

Issue Date

9-2015

Abstract

Basella alba, known locally in the Philippines as “Alugbati” is an underutilized crop in the Philippines having potential health benefits. Proximate (nutritional) analysis using standard methods showed that the oven-dried leaves contain 15.49 ± 0.36 % ash (minerals), 1.58 ± 0.08% crude fat, 7.23 ± 0.17% crude fiber, 17.55 ± 0.08 % crude protein, and 50.62 ± 0.30 % total carbohydrates. The presence of phytochemicals such as saponins, diterpenes, phenols, tannins, and flavonoids in both ethanolic and aqueous extracts, alkaloids in aqueous extract, and cardiac glycosides in ethanolic extract was known through qualitative phytochemical screening of B. alba leaves extracts. Using the Folin-Ciocalteu method, the total phenolic contents were found to be 93.89 and 85.13 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g extract for ethanol and aqueous extracts, respectively and 100.18 and 90.80 mg quercetin equivalents (QE)/g extract for ethanol and aqueous extracts, respectively. The phytochemicals detected in the aqueous and ethanolic extracts contributes to the anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of B. alba as described in literature.

Source or Periodical Title

International Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemical Research

Volume

7

Issue

5

Page

1031-1033

Document Type

Article

Physical Description

tables

Language

English

Subject

Basella alba, Phytochemical screening, Proximate analysis, Total phenolic content

Digital Copy

yes

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