Studies on phytochemicals, nutritional parameters and antioxidant potential of Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) and Garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.)

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Date
2018
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CCSHAU
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The present study was undertaken to estimate the phytochemical and nutritional parameters; comparison of microwave assisted and conventional extraction techniques and effect of herbal extracts (infusion, decoction and strong decoction) on total phenolics, flavonoids as well as on the antioxidant potential of the extracts of different plant parts of Chicory and Garden cress (Hisar and Solan regions). Moisture, fat, ash, protein, crude fibre and total carbohydrates were estimated in different parts viz. seeds, aerial parts & roots of Chicory and Garden cress (both regions). All parts of Chicory and Garden cress (both regions) were found to be very rich sources of energy on the basis of their calorific values. Seeds, aerial parts & roots of Chicory and Garden cress (both regions) also contained minerals viz. Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn. Different parts of Chicory and Garden cress (both regions) were found to contain ascorbic acid, starch, tannins, total sugars, reducing sugars and non-reducing sugars also in varying amounts. Oil content in seeds of Chicory, Garden cress (Hisar region) and Garden cress (Solan region) were 18.05, 22.42 and 25.52%, respectively. Major constituents in Chicory and Garden cress (both regions) seed oil were palmitic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and linolenic acid. Total phenolics (6.90 - 10.78 mg GAE/g), flavonoids (1.55 - 6.33 mg CE/g) and total antioxidant capacity (63.15 - 223.70 mg AAE/g) were highest in whole plant and seeds extracts of both crops prepared by soxhlet extraction technique followed by column chromatography, microwave assisted and homogenization techniques. DPPH free radical scavenging activity of whole plant and seeds (IC50: 410.6 - 647.8 μg/mL) was also highest of extracts of both crops prepared by soxhlet extraction technique followed by column chromatography (IC50: 411.9 - 666.7 μg/mL), microwave assisted (IC50: 419.1 - 668.0 μg/mL) and homogenization (IC50: 437.4 - 701.1 μg/mL) techniques. Among plant parts of Chicory, total phenolics, flavonoids, DPPH free radical scavenging activity and total antioxidant capacity were higher in whole plant extracts in comparison to seeds extracts; whereas in Garden cress of both regions, total phenolics, flavonoids, DPPH free radical scavenging activity and total antioxidant capacity of seeds extracts were higher in comparison to whole plant extracts. Strong decoctions of aerial parts and roots of both crops had highest total phenolics (1.83 - 19.62 mg GAE/g), flavonoids (0.53 - 8.53 mg CE/g) and total antioxidant capacity (11.93 - 80.31 mg AAE/g) in comparison to their corresponding decoctions and infusions. Strong decoctions of aerial parts and roots also exhibited highest DPPH free radical scavenging activity (IC50: 372.7 - 736.1 μg/mL) in comparison to corresponding decoctions (IC50: 385.8 - 739.2 μg/mL) and infusions (IC50: 396.1 - 744.0 μg/mL). Among different plant parts of Chicory and Garden cress (both regions); total phenolics, flavonoids, DPPH free radical scavenging activity and total antioxidant capacity were higher in herbal extracts of aerial parts in comparison to herbal extracts of roots. Hence, Chicory and Garden cress possess good antioxidant potential which may be due to the presence of various phytochemicals; therefore, play an important role in antioxidant defence system against free radicals and thus aid in human health.
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