Evaluation of nutritional value and antioxidant activity of root and leaf of Samarakhai (Byttneria herbacea Roxb.): An extra pharmacopoeial herb.

Background: Samarakhai (Byttneria herbacea Roxb.), family Sterculiaceae, is one of the reputed folklore medicinal herbs, found in many parts of India. Although consumed as a vegetable since long time, its root and leaves are not yet reported for its nutritive value and antioxidant activities.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate nutritional value and antioxidant potential of root and leaf of B. herbacea Roxb.

Materials and methods: Nutritional parameters such as carbohydrate, fat, protein, energy value, calcium, iron, zinc, manganese, phosphorus and vitamin C were evaluated. Antioxidant activity was evaluated through three test methods, i.e., 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and phosphomolybdenum assay.

Results: B. herbacea roots and leaves showed the presence of total carbohydrate 46.39 g/100 g and 40.12 g/100 g, total fat 0.63 g/100 g and 1.20 g/100 g, true protein 11.46 g/100 g and 10.49 g/100 g, energy content 237.07 kcal/100 g and 213.24 kcal/100 g, iron 821.10 ppm and 889.64 ppm, zinc 9.2 ppm and 47.98 ppm, manganese 329.86 ppm and 474.59 ppm, phosphorus 0.40 ppm and 0.10 ppm and calcium 4856.84 ppm and 14964.49 ppm, respectively. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration values of the methanol extract of root, leaf and ascorbic acid were found to be 217.25 µg/ml, 131.42 µg/ml and 178.88 µg/ml, respectively. In FRAP assay, antioxidant activity of methanol extract of leaf (129.15 µM) was found to be more than root (73.13 µM).

Conclusion: B. herbacea root contains high amount of true protein, carbohydrate and energy value, while micronutrients such as iron, zinc, manganese and calcium are more in its leaf. Both roots and leaves exhibited potent antioxidant activity where the leaves possess more values than the roots.