Nutraceutical studies on Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl. (Fruits & Seeds)

Abstract

Fruits and vegetables have plenty of natural antioxidants, especially vitamin C and E. Fruits contained beta-carotene, phenolic compounds such as anthocyanin and other flavonoids, which showcase a wide range of biological benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti carcinogenic properties. Eriobotrya  japonica commonly called as loquat fruit is a subtropical evergreen fruit. In the present study an attempt was made to analyzed the phytochemical screening, nutraceuticals and antioxidant activity of the aforesaid traditionally important and pharmacologically potent fruits and seeds of E. japonica. The dried powdered fruits and seed samples were subjected for the analysis of nutritional parameters, phytochemical screening and evaluation of antioxidant activity. The nutritional parameters such as total carbohydrate, total starch, total proteins and levels of free amino acids were analyzed. Phytochemical screening of E. japonica clearly showed the presence of certain important secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, glycosides, cardiac glycosides, phytosterol and gums and mucilage. The antioxidant activity of the plant extracts were determined by using super oxide free radical scavenging assay. The results of the present study clearly indicated that methanol seed extract showed better free radical scavenging activity at concentration of 1000 mg/ml of extract. Among the selected samples fruits of E.japonica were found to be more potent than the seeds of the same species.  However, more advanced pharmacological and clinical studies would be required to investigate in vivo mechanism of pharmacological effects of this important edible fruits E. japonica.