Screening of nutritional, phytochemical, antioxidant and antibacterial activity of underutilized seeds of Scirpus articulatus: the basis of Khubahi Ramdana industry.

Abstract

The Scirpus articulatus (Family: Cyperaceae) is widely distributed in India, especially in districts of central and north Bihar as well in some other parts of the country and pops of its seeds are eaten as granular sweets. These underutilized seeds were investigated for their nutritional, phytochemical, antioxidant and antibacterial potential. All assays were carried out in three solvents of increasing polarity. Their nutritional profiling demonstrated them to be an excellent source of phenolic compounds and natural antioxidants in methanolic fraction. They showed 0.0265 g and 0.808 g 100 g -1 DM alkaloids and saponins respectively. Highest phenolic, flavonoid and flavonol contents were obtained as 26.6733 mg GAE 100 mg -1 , 9.568 µg CE 100 mg -1 and 5.851 mg RE 100 g -1 respectively. No significant quantities of antioxidants were obtained in either of the hexane or chloroform fractions. The methanolic extract of seeds obtained a good antioxidant potential of ABTS (IC50 = 0.75 mg ml -1 and FRAP (970.90 µg BHTE 100 mg -1 ). Therefore, it seems reasonable to consider S. articulatus seeds as new valuable ingredient for food and nutraceutical applications.