Comparative Analysis of Nutritional and Bioactive Properties of Aerial Parts of Snake Gourd (<i>Trichosanthes cucumerina</i>Linn.)

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out to determine the nutritional and functional properties of <i>T. cucumerina</i>. Water extracts of freeze dried flowers, fruits, and leaves of <i>T</i>. <i>cucumerina</i> were evaluated for their total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant activity, <i>α</i>-amylase inhibitory activity, and fiber and mineral contents. Antioxidant activity, TPC, and TFC were significantly higher (<i>P</i> ≤ 0.05) in leaves than in flowers and fruits. A significant linear correlation was observed between the TPC, TFC, and antioxidant activities of plant extracts. Although, leaves and flower samples showed a significantly higher (<i>P</i> ≤ 0.05) amylase inhibitory activity than the fruit samples, the overall amylase inhibition was low in all three parts of <i>T. cucumerina</i>. Soluble and insoluble dietary fiber contents were significantly higher (<i>P</i> ≤ 0.05) in fruits than in flowers and leaves. Ca and K contents were significantly higher (<i>P</i> ≤ 0.05) in leaf followed by fruit and flower and Mg, Fe, and Zn contents were significantly higher (<i>P</i> ≤ 0.05) in leaves followed by flowers and fruits. In conclusion, <i>T. cucumerina</i> can be considered as a nourishing food commodity which possesses high nutritional and functional benefits for human health.