Studies on nutraceutical properties of Flacourtia jangomas fruits in Assam, India

Abstract

Searching of nutraceutical properties of fruits has in recent years received much attention in different parts of the world owing to its relevance in discovery of health beneficial foods. Flacourtia jangomas, a semi-cultivated fruit plant, having some medicinal as well as economic value, is found frequently in the Brahmaputra valley of Assam and adjoining areas in the northeastern parts of India. The present study has been carried out to make a survey for bioactive compounds, like, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids, tannins and saponins, and to determine the total phenol and flavonoid contents in the ripe fruits of F. jangomas. It has found that the methanol extract of the fruits contains most of the searching bioactive compounds and the total phenol and flavonoid contents are 20 mg/g and 2mg/g respectively. Findings of the study have provided the evidences that the fruits of F. jangomas have the nutraceutical potency.