Nutritional Value Estimation of the Leaves an...

Nutritional Value Estimation of the Leaves and Fruits of Solanum virginianum. L.

Author Name : S. Anitha, P. Thamizhiniyan, S. Manikandan

ABSTRACT

The prickly herb Solanum virginianum L, sometimes known as wild eggplant or nightshade plant, is native to most of Asia and Australia. Its scientific name is Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad. & H. Wendl. It has spines all over the plant and is a member of the Solanaceae family. The blooms are blue and come in cymes or occasionally solitary. The leaves are elliptic or ovate and are covered with spines. The stems are young green and turn brownish as they grow. Numerous phytoconstituents have been discovered, with alkaloid being the primary component. It is essential to many traditional as well as pharmaceutical practices for treating diseases of the interior and external physiological systems. By analyzing their proximate and phytochemical composition, Solanum virginianum L. leaves and seeds were evaluated for their estimated nutritional value. The findings show that the protein content of the leaves and fruits is 11.86% and 11.25%, respectively, while the carbohydrate content is 75.04% and 72.14%, the crude fiber content is 31.95% and 20.84%, and the total ash content is 11.86 and 11.25%, respectively. Ca, P, K, Na, and Cu were found in the leaves and seeds, according to mineral analysis. A phytochemical investigation found significant amounts of ascorbic acid.

Keywords: Solanum virginianum, proximate, phytochemical, composition leaves and fruits, ascorbic acid.