Study of antioxidant activity and phytochemical analysis of fruits of Momordica charantia var.muricata using LC-MS

Momordica species are vegetable crops, belonging to the family of Cucurbitaceae. Cucurbitaceae crops are known to reservoir of several essential nutrients, minerals, vitamins, dietary fibers and a number of nutraceuticals and phytomedicinal compounds. Momordica charantia var. muricata small fruited variety mentioned in Horthus Malabaricus as Pavel or Pandipavel. They are reported to cultivated extensively in the past. Now its cultivation restricted to a few home gardens due to the entering of large fruited variety. The whole plant possesses a significant therapeutic value in the traditional system of medicine. The present study aimed to conduct phytochemical screening and antioxidant analysis. The pyto chemicals are those chemicals that are not established as a food nutrients but acts as a healing agent for different diseases in human beings. Phytochemical analysis of fruit extract through LC-MS analysis reveals the presence of primary metabolites like carbohydrates, Proteins, fatty acids, amino acids and secondary metabolites like alkaloids, terpenoids, coumarins, plant sterols, phenolic acids, flavonoids etc.,. DPPH assay and Nitric oxide assay is used to test antioxidant activity. In conclusion that the fruits of Momordica charantia var. muricata possess potential antioxidant activity, and could be used as a good source of natural antioxidants.