Abstract

COMPREHENSIVE ANALYTICAL AND NUTRITIONAL INSIGHTS INTO THE FRUIT AND SEEDS OF ARTOCARPUS HETEROPHYLLUS LAM.

Dr. Greeshma K. V.*, Dr. Mohammed Faisal and Suchitra N. Prabhu

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Abstract

Introduction: Standardizing drugs is essential for preserving the integrity and reliability of both experimental and clinical trials. It ensures that the drug maintains consistent quality and potency, which is essential for its safety and effectiveness in treating the targeted condition. Ayurvedic medicine, with its rich historical background and holistic methodology, follows a detailed process for examining and standardizing drugs. This process includes identifying the source, choosing the correct plant part, preparing and processing the drug, standardizing it, and testing its efficacy through various methods. This traditional system combines ancient knowledge with practical methodologies. Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam., is a drug that is extensively used for both medicinal and culinary purposes which is referred as Panasa in Sanskrit. Objective: To determine the Pharmacognostical, Preliminary phytochemical analysis and Nutritional analysis of Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. Materials and Method: Collection of Artocarpus heterophyllus fruits and seeds was done from natural habitat of Udupi district and analytical studies were carried out according to the standard protocols. Result and Discussion: Microscopic characteristics of fruit contains pigment cells, fibrous Parenchyma, Sclerenchyma cells and starch grains with aleurone grains. At times there are sclereids in the mesocarp. Microscopy of seed shows outer thin arillus encircling the narrow brown coloured testa and centrally located unequal sized horizontally placed cotyledon, embedded with orange coloured pigment and starch grain, occupying the major area of section. The phytochemical tests indicate the presence of Alkaloid, Carbohydrate, Flavanoids, Terpinoids, Resin, Quinone in fruits while seeds are specifically rich in Alkaloid, Carbohydrate and Flavanoids. The nutritional value analysis shows that the fruit sample contained 0.45% total fat, 16% total carbohydrates, 0.86% total proteins, and 5.97% total fiber, with a total nutritive value of 71.49 kcal. In comparison, the seed sample contained 1.10% total fat, 9.85% total carbohydrates, 1.80% total proteins, and 3.34% total fiber, with a total nutritive value of 56.5 kcal. Conclusion: The analytical and nutritional study conducted and documented will be valuable for future research in clinical practice.

Keywords: Nutritional analysis, Panasa, Pharmacognosy, Phytochemical analysis Standardization.