Seasonal variation in phytochemicals and nutraceutical potential of Begonia nelumbiifolia consumed in Puebla, México

Abstract

is a traditional edible plant consumed and commercialized in the northern highlands of Puebla, México. The present study reports the seasonal variation in proximate analysis as well as organic acids, carotenoids and flavonoids content in both leaves and stalks of this plant. The stalks contained low concentrations of protein (~3%), fiber (~1.5%) and nitrogen free extract (~0.26%) during the time of study. Both organs showed contents of oxalic acid (91-103 mg 100 g FW), ascorbic acid (50-65 mg 100 g FW), lutein (1-2.5 mg 100 g FW), β-carotene (1-3 mg 100 g FW), quercetin (1.3-2.7 mg 100 g DW) and rutin (0.5-1.7 mg 100 g DW). Antioxidant activity against DPPH was observed by the stalk extracts from 30% methanol (IC, 0.21-0.37 mg L), pure methanol (IC, 0.14-0.21 mg L) and hexane: acetone (IC, 0.77-1.21 mg L). In vitro anti-HMG-CoA reductase (IC, 0.07-0.36 mg L) and anti-alpha-glucosidase (IC, 0.28-0.43 mg L) activities were observed in extracts from the edible stalks from pure methanol and 30% methanol. The leaf extracts from 30% methanol inhibited the growth of pv. tabaci TBR2004 (MIC, 254 µg mL), pv. tomato DC3000 (MIC, 423 µg mL), pv. glycinea (MIC, 605 µg mL) and AB299158 (MIC, 162 µg mL). contained valuable phytochemicals associated to nutraceutical and biological properties. However, the consumption of the fresh stalks must be carefully considered because of the high oxalate content.

Nutraceutical potential and hypolipidemic properties of the volatiles from the edible leaves ofPeperomia maculosa

“…The percentage of nitrogen free extract suggests that P. maculosa contains a lower amount of assimilable carbohydrates than Peperomia pellucida (Ooi, Iqbal & Ismail, ). Conversely, these percentages were higher than those reported for B. nelumbiifolia (Villa‐Ruano et al, ). This evidence suggests that the low quantity of assimilable carbohydrates from P. maculosa should be safe for diabetics who usually consume it.…”

“…Levels of protein were higher than in other common vegetables such as artichoke, spinach, lettuce, cabbage, potato, and fruits such as green peppers and pumpkin (García‐Gómez et al, ). Interestingly, the amounts of protein and fiber were similar to those of B. nelumbiifolia , a traditional edible plant frequently consumed in the northern highlands of Puebla (Villa‐Ruano et al, ). The percentage of nitrogen free extract suggests that P. maculosa contains a lower amount of assimilable carbohydrates than Peperomia pellucida (Ooi, Iqbal & Ismail, ).…”

“…Coriander and other traditional foods which are harvested in those regions contain similar levels of these flavonoids (Rajeshwari & Andallu, ; Villa‐Ruano et al, ). Traces of the antinutrient oxalate (<0.1 mg 100 g –1 FW) were identified but its endogenous quantities were particularly lower than those of Begonia nelumbiifolia , an oxalate accumulating vegetable (Villa‐Ruano et al, ). According to these results, oxalate level in P. maculosa does not represent a risk for human health.…”

“…The extraction and identification of these metabolites was performed as reported by Villa‐Ruano et al (). RP‐HPLC determinations were done in a Hewlett Packard 1050 system coupled to an HP G1306A diode array detector.…”

Phenolic compounds and antimicrobial properties of Begonia grandis Dryand. subsp. grandis leaves

“…Even though the presence of crystals and druses of calcium oxalate is considered a taxonomic characteristic of the genus Begonia, and the genus belongs to the group of oxalicacid-accumulating plants (Villa-Ruano et al 2017), there are no descriptions, images, or a good understanding of the lo ca tion of salt druses or crystals in the cells and tissues. There are rare reports on the presence of cystolites in the epi dermal cells of representatives of this genus (Pireyre 1961).…”