The biochemical significances of the proximate, mineral and phytochemical composition of selected vegetables from Pakistan

Current study was designed to focus on the proximate, phytochemical and nutrient composition in addition to antioxidant properties of five selected vegetables viz Ipomoea batatas, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Daucus carota, Solanum Melongena and Brassica rapa rapa that are locally available and readily consumed in Pakistan. Nutritional analysis revealed that all the edibles were rich sources of crude protein, carbohydrate, fat and dietary fiber. Micro and macro minerals analysis also exhibited the significant presence of Na, K, Ca, Mg and P. Preliminary phytochemical screening unveiled the extraordinary incidence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids that was also proved by quantitative analysis. The biological assays bared a considerable antioxidant potential of selected green materials. Among vegetables, Trigonella foenum-graecum was proved to be superior while Brassica rapa rapa was considered to be inferior for phenolics and flavonoids content. Trigonella foenum-graecum also presented significant antioxidant activity with maximum reduction capacity and also having least IC50 as a result of inhibition of free radical scavenging by DPPH method. In contrast to α-amylase, a significantly higher inhibition towards α-glucosidase was shown by the selected samples; an impending remedial approach connected to postprandial hyperglycemia. In this scenario, the results of this study suggests that all the selected green materials have very good medicinal potentials, meet the standard requirements for drug formulation and serve as good sources of energy and nutrients. The outcomes of current work also revealed that plant derived foods enriched with phyto-protectants are effective to tailor specific healthy diet for the target population.