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Nutrient and Phytochemical Analysis of Four Varieties of Bitter Gourd (momordica Charantia) Grown in Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh

M. Ullah
Deparment of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, University of Science & Technology, Chittagong (USTC), Foy's Lake, Chittagong, Bangladesh

Fazlul Karim Chy
Deparment of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, University of Science & Technology, Chittagong (USTC), Foy's Lake, Chittagong, Bangladesh

Subodh Kumar Sarkar
Deparment of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, University of Science & Technology, Chittagong (USTC), Foy's Lake, Chittagong, Bangladesh

M. Khairul Islam
Department of Crop Science & technology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh

Nurul Absar
Deparment of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, University of Science & Technology, Chittagong (USTC), Foy's Lake, Chittagong, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) were analyzed for their major nutrient contents as well as Vitamin C, minerals and phytochemical constituents. The selected varieties were Charantia C.B. Clarke, Muricata (Willd.), Hybrid green and Hybrid white karala. The result revealed the presence of nutrient constituent among the varieties comprising Total sugar (0.114±0.01% to 0.22±0.02%), Starch (0.74±0.01% to 5.3±0.04%), Total protein (1.17±0.01% to 2.4±0.02%), Fat (0.3±0.02 to 0.8±0.02%) and Vitamin C (9.41±0.26 to 13±0.57mg%). This vegetable is good source of minerals such as Mg, Ca, S and Cu. The fruits contained calcium (0.55±0.30 to 7.0±0.25 mg%) and sulpher (44.9±0.38 to 72.4±0.51 ppm). All the varieties were found to contain tannin, flavonoids, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, triterpin and sterol, resin, amino acid and phenolic compounds except coumarin and free anthraquinone. Based on the findings from this study, bitter gourd (Momordica charantia), although a bitter known vegetables but has enormous nutritional potentials.

Keywords: Karal, Uchchhey, Minerals, Phytochemical constituents, Phenolic compounds

Location: Deparment of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, University of Science & Technology, Chittagong (USTC), Foy's Lake, Chittagong

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Quality and Nutrition

Commodity: Bitter gourd

Objectives:

The study has been under taken to obtain information regarding major and minor nutrient contents as well biologically important phytochemicals in Bitter gourd.

Methodology:

Collection and identification of plant materials: Momordica charantia is commonly known as “karala” and “Uchchhey” in Bangladesh. Four varieties of Momordica charantia, charantia C.B. Clarke, muricata (Willd.), Hybrid green and Hybrid white were collected from Chittagong hill tracts, Chittagong, Bangladesh. The study was carried out in 2009 in the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology, Chittagong, Bangladesh. The varieties were identified in the Department of Botany; University of Chittagong. The seeds were dissected from the vegetables and removed the foreign materials. After then, the fruits (pericerp) were used for experimental analysis. The fruit (pericarp) were air-dried for 5 days and milled into powder with the aid of an electrical grinder. The ethanol extract of each sample was prepared by soaking 300 g of dried powdered samples in 2 L pure ethanol for 24 h. The extracts were filtered using Whatman filter paper No 42 (125 mm).

Procedure of nutrient analysis: The analysis of bitter gourd moisture were carried out by the standard and Ash were determined by the standard method. The other nutrients were determined using the established reported methods as reported: total sugar and starch content by the anthrone method, reducing sugar by dinitrosalicylic acid method. The water soluble protein by the method of Folin-Lowry and Total protein by Micro-Kjeldahl method using 6.25 factor to calculate protein content from nitrogen content. Vitamin C by the standard method of AOAC while Lipid content by the method of Bligh and Dyer.

Estimation of mineral content: The minerals present in fruits were analyzed by the procedure as described in Analytical methods.

Phytochemical screening: Chemical tests were carried out on the ethanolic extract and on the powdered specimens using standard procedures to identify the constituents.

Statistical analysis: The results generated from the analysis were subjected to statistical analysis using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 15. Means were used for the analysis of the result.

Source of Information: Asian Journal of Agricultural Research, 5: 186-193.

Article Link (Online Journal): DOI: 10.3923/ajar.2011.186.193

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

In conclusion, the nutritional study suggested that Momordica charantia L. (Variety muricata) contains a good amount of nutritional components, though somebody dislike it due to bitter taste. All the varieties contained similar types secondary metabolite such as Tanin, Flavonoids, Terpenoids, Cardiac glycosides, Triterpin etc. It also reveals significant effects like antimicrobial activity as well as anti-inflammatory activities. Further study is necessary to elucidate the mechanisms behind the traditional effects.

Knowledge Management: Journal