Phytochemical and anti-oxidant properties of Pandanus odorifer of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

In present study, the seed, seed oil, pulp and leaf of P. odorifer from three different geographical locations of Andaman and Nicobar Islands were analysed for its phytochemical and antioxidant properties which revealed that the pulp had excellent amount of carbohydrate (76.343 ± 1.531 %) as well as notable ascorbic acid (0.086 ± 0.112 %), added with good anti-nutritional contents like phenols (4.903 ± 0.967 %), flavonoids (17.223 ± 1.113 %), saponins (9.503 ± 1.194 %) and oxalate (0.593 ± 0.695 %) content. In addition, it also had good TSS (5.56 ± 1.064˚ Brix) content with exceptional antioxidant activity like DPPH (93.933 ± 3.95 % RSA) and ABTS (36.14 ± 0.118 % RSA). Notably, the seed had good protein (23.81 ± 2.757 %) content and the leaf had good tannin (10.98 ± 1.005 %), chlorophyll (5.278 ± 1.048 µg/g) and carotenoid (10.56 ± 1 µg/g) concentration added with notable hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (88.5 ± 4.951 %RSA). Exceptionally, the seed oil recorded good superoxide radical scavenging activity (89.14 ± 6.836 %RSA). Further correlation studies revealed strong correlation ascorbic acid with carbohydrates (r =1, p ≤ 0.05), DPPH (r =0.99, p ≤ 0.05) and carbohydrates itself with DPPH (r =0.97, p ≤ 0.05), saponins (r =0.90, p ≤ 0.05) and TSS (r =0.88, p ≤ 0.05). Good correlation levels of ABTS with tannins (r =0.94, p ≤ 0.05) and phenols (r =0.93, p ≤ 0.05) as well as flavonoids (r =0.81, p ≤ 0.05) were also observed. On analysis, these plant parts could have potent applications in the field of food, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries due to their exemplary antioxidant potential.