Quantitative determination of biochemical constituents in fenugreek seeds

Abstract

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is an important seed spice valued for its nutritional richness and medicinal properties, largely attributed to its bioactive phytochemical constituents. The present investigation was carried out to quantify major biochemical components in seeds of 55 fenugreek collections evaluated during two consecutive rabi seasons (2023-24 and 2024-25) at the College of Horticulture, Bagalkot, Karnataka. Quantitative estimation of total phenols, flavonoids, tannins, saponins and antioxidant activity was performed using standard biochemical methods and pooled mean data across both seasons were analyzed statistically. The results revealed highly significant variation among the collections for all the biochemical traits studied. Pusa Early Bunching recorded the highest levels of total phenols, flavonoids, tannins and antioxidant activity, followed by DFC-15 and Lam sel-2, whereas HUB-4 exhibited the lowest values for most of these parameters. In contrast, the highest saponin content was observed in HUB-4, while Afg-3 recorded the minimum. The biochemically superior collections identified in the present study possess enhanced antioxidant potential and nutraceutical value. These collections can be effectively utilized for the development of functional foods, nutraceutical products and for further improvement programmes in fenugreek.