Nutritional and antioxidant components of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) seedlings

Abstract

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is regarded as a useful medicinal plant for the treatment of various dysfunctions and diseases in recorded history and in Ayurveda also. Fresh leaves are also used as vegetables in the diets. Fenugreeks leaves is known for its medicinal qualities such as antidiabetic, anticarcinogenic, hypocholesterolemic and antioxidant. In present investigation, promising genotype of fenugreek were evaluated for antioxidant activity and its related component from leaves at different growth stages. The result showed that the genotype JFG-204 and JFG-205 exhibits statistically at par as well as higher mean value compared to other genotypes, for ascorbic acid content, Flavonoid content as well as for antioxidant activity. Highest mean total phenol content recorded for genotype JFG-80, whereas lowest value was recorded for GM-2 (0.600 mg.g-1 %). A strong correlation between total phenolic content and antioxidant activity was found, high total phenol content increases antioxidant activity.