Keywords:
Proximate analysis, Minerals, Total phenolics, β-carotene, Fatty acid profile
The aim of the study was to determine the phytochemical composition of the Indian ethno-medicinal plant Priva cordifolia (L.f) Druce. Standard methods were adopted to perform a proximate analysis of P. cardifolia to determine its phytochemical and mineral contents. Fatty acids and vitamin-C were analyzed by GC-FID and HPLC respectively. β-carotene was characterized by FTIR spectroscopy. A total phenolic content of 102 ± 1.14 mg/g and flavonoids, 350.48 ± 12.80 mg/g were found in the plant’s leaf extract. The concentration of crude fat, ash, crude protein, crude fiber, and carbohydrate were respectively 2.08 ± 0.10, 16.32 ± 0.52, 19.04 ± 0.62, and 9.1 ± 0.14 and 41.64 ± 1.20 g/100 g of dried leaf powder. The content of Ca, K and Mg were 2249.38 ± 66.00, 2151.51 ± 60.25 and 356.15 ± 2.95 mg/100 g respectively, and that of the trace elements Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn 94.01 ± 2.10, 9.40 ± 0.12, 1.66 ± 0.06 and 6.23 ± 0.09 mg/100 g of dried leaf powder respectively. The polyunsaturated fatty acid- linoleic, linolenic, and arachidonic acids content found in extracted fat was 16.42, 46.62 and 0.72 g/100 g respectively. β-Carotene 894.00 ± 12.00 µg/g and vitamin-C 53.34 ± 1.60 µg/g of fresh leaves were found. The data seem to suggest the possibility of a correlation of the phyto-chemical composition of P. cordifolia with some of its already known therapeutic properties. The total phenolics and antioxidants of this plant, in particular, may play the key role in relief from oxidation stress and in wound healing.
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The authors wish to acknowledge the financial support and facilities kindly extended by the CEO of Ganesh Consultancy and Analytical Services, Laboratory, Mysuru.