Effects of extraction, fermentation, and storage processes on the levels of choline derived from calabash fruit (Crescentia cujete L.)

Abstract

Calabash fruit (Crescentia cujete L.) is one of the herbs cultivated in Indonesia. Calabash fruit has nutrients, including choline, required for neurotransmitter synthesis in neuronal cells. However, the choline levels in fresh fruits decrease during storage. Therefore, there is a need to isolate choline and maintain its level during storage. This study aimed to analyze the effects of extraction, fermentation, and storage processes on the level of choline derived from the calabashh fruit. Calabash fruits were classified into three groups: group I (fresh fruit), group II (extracted), and group III (fermented). All groups were stored in the refrigerator at 4 ℃. Their choline content was measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry on days 0, 5, and 10 after storage. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 26. The result showed that the calibration curve equation of choline was y = 3.15e + 5x + 2.0e+4, with R2 = 0.998 and a linear regression of concentration range of 0-24 ng/mL. The processing of calabash fruits using extraction or fermentation decreased the choline level (p ≤ 0.05). However, the product produced during extraction and fermentation of the calabash fruit had better stability regarding its choline levels after 10 days of storage compared with that of the fresh calabash fruit (p ≤ 0.05). Therefore, the calabash fruit extraction and fermentation processes can bind choline and maintain its stability after storage. The extraction and fermentation produce products containing pure choline with minimum interfering compounds that affect its stability.

Brain Histopathological Changes After Treatment Using Calabash Fruit (Crescentia cujete L.) in Rat Model with Artificially Induced Ischemic Stroke

“…Its fruit and leaves contain alkaloids, flavonoids, saponin, tannin, polyphenols, and triterpenoids (Das et al, 2014). Wilujeng et al (2023) described that this fruit also consists of choline, an eminent neurotransmitter. A previous study described that using choline in the prenatal period in rats increases cognitive performance, size and response of neurons, and neuroprotectant effects from the neurotoxin agents (Derbyshire and Obeid, 2020).…”

“…The fermented calabash was stored in a fermentation bottle and stirred once daily. After 30 days, the fermented calabash was filtered and stored inside the bottle at four °C using a fridge (Wilujeng et al, 2023).…”

“…The choline level of fermented calabash was measured using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/ mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The choline level was measured using the demonstrated procedure in the previous study (Wilujeng et al, 2023). The result of LC-MS/MS indicated that the level of choline was 110.33 mg/kg.…”