IJFANS International Journal of Food and Nutritional Sciences

ISSN PRINT 2319 1775 Online 2320-7876

EVALUATION OF PHYTOCHEMICAL AND NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION OF FENUGREEK (TRIGONELLA FOENUM-GRAECUM L.)

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Mamatha N, Keshamma E

Abstract

India is a major producer of fenugreek and also a major consumer of it for its culinary uses and medicinal application. For medicinal and cosmetic purpose, its leaf and seed are used to prepare extract and powder. With this background, the current study aimed for evaluation of phytochemical and nutritional composition of Fenugreek leaves. The Fenugreek leaves were subjected to successive solvent extraction by continuous hot extraction (Soxhlet) with double distilled water. Results revealed that the major phytochemicals found in aq. Fenugreek leaf extract were phenolic compounds, flavonoids, glycosides, alkaloids, and tannins. Quantitative estimation of phytochemicals in aq. Fenugreek leaf extract estimated highest quantities of total sugars i.e., 28.64 mg/g followed by non-reducing sugars (27.97 mg/g), total phenolics (2.96 mgGAE/g), total flavonoids (1.19 mgQE/g), and reducing sugars (0.67 mg/g). Furthermore, nutrient composition evaluation revealed that aq. Fenugreek leaf extract composed of moisture (85.69%), Fiber (Soluble: 0.61%; Insoluble: 3.89%), Fat (0.98%), and protein (3.86%), and Ash (9.54%). In conclusion, aq. Fenugreek leaf extract composed of considerable quantities of phytochemicals such as total sugars, reducing sugars, non-reducing sugars, phenolic compounds, and flavonoids. Hence, aqueous Fenugreek leaf extract may be explored in development of natural pharmaceutical drug agents.

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