Insights into the composition of lotus rhizome

Abstract

Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (Nymphaeaceae) known as sacred lotus, is a very unique ornamental plant having multiple medicinal properties. The proximate analysis of rhizome were analysed and the results include moisture (72.14%), starch (10.05), carbohydrates (16.03g), protein (2.6g), fat (0.1g), fibre (3.2g), vitamin C (38mg), calcium (40mg), iron (1.07mg), phosphorus (58mg), potassium (450mg). Major chemical constituents that are present in methanol extract of rhizome were analysed through cold maceration method by High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HR-LCMS) techniques. The compounds include: Betulinic acid, Rutin, Isoquercetin, 2R - aminohexadecanoic acid, Phytosphingosine, Sphinganine, Phorbol, Ginkgolide B, Tetrahydroxy- 2,6- dimethyl anthroquinone, Pseudouridine, p – Hydroxyphenobarbital, Fluoroacetate, Isoamyl nitrite, Metronidazole, Napthaldehyde, Acetoin. The results showed that bioactive compounds identified by HR-LCMS from rhizome of Nelumbo nucifera have revealed a very good potential to be explored as food supplements or even pharmaceutical products to improve human health.