Proximate composition, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic properties of the haustorium from Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) and Palmyra palm (Borassus flabellifer L.)
Objective: Functional foods play important roles in the management of health; the haustoria from the
Cocos nucifera and Borassus flabellifer are less explored for their nutritional benefits. Therefore, the study
evaluated the proximate composition, and biological and anti-diabetic effects of the CH and BH.
Methods: The total polyphenol content of coconut and palmyra palm haustorium was conducted using
the standard Folin-Ciocalteu based assay. The radical scavenging properties of Coconut and Palmyra palm
haustorium was analyzed by DPPH radical scavenging assay, Lipid peroxidation inhibition as well as by
hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay. Anti-diabetic activity of the coconut and palmyra palm haustorium
extracts were analyzed in terms of the inhibition of a-amylase and a-glucosidase activities.
Results: The results indicated significantly higher amounts of protein, fiber, and fat content in BH.
Similarly, higher polyphenol content was present in BH. Substantiating these results, the anti-DPPH radical and anti-hydrogen peroxide radical were higher in BH (18.66 ± 2.09 and 30.73 ± 2.37 lg/mL); likewise,
the BH had higher lipoygenase inhibition and nitric oxide scavenging potential (42.14 ± 3.45 and 72.12
± 4.02 lg/mL). Both the extracts exhibited anti-diabetic activity (58.61 ± 2.98 and 91.17 ± 3.52 lg/m
L), however, a higher concentration was required for CH compared to the BH.
Conclusion: The Palmyra palm and coconut haustorium are highly nutritional in terms of the various
components. By virtue of these compounds, the BH and CH may evolve as possible functional foods over
time
Objective: Functional foods play important roles in the management of health; the haustoria from the
Cocos nucifera and Borassus flabellifer are less explored for their nutritional benefits…