Comprehensive nutritional profile analysis of Simarouba glauca (DC). leaves extract

Simarouba glauca (DC). [S. glauca (DC).] is an essential medicinal plant known to possess good pharmacological and therapeutic potential. Despite the medicinal importance of S. glauca (DC), there is no documented information on its nutritional composition. Thus, the present work is focused on analysing the proximate composition (carbohydrates, protein, energy, moisture, ash, fat), minerals content (Zn, Cu, Mn, Mg, Fe, Ca) and reducing sugar content. We also looked into the presence of water-soluble vitamins and amino acid contents present in the lyophilized S. glauca (DC) and leaves aqueous extract (SGALp). Analysis of SGALp revealed the presence of 74.69% carbohydrates, 8.86% ash, 12.33% moisture and 4.12% protein and the total energy was calculated to be 315.45 kcal/100g. The leaves contain a significant amount of calcium (120mg/100g) and a lower amount of copper (0.79mg/100g). The reducing sugar content was found to be 0.03g/100g. Further, the Ultra Pressure Liquid Chromatography-Mass spectroscopy (UPLC–MS) analysis showed the presence of water-soluble vitamins such as pantothenic acid (68.17mg/100g) and riboflavin (0.012mg/100g). Lastly, amino acids analysis revealed the presence of all essential and nonessential amino acids with a high amount of glutamic acid (2.84mg/100g). In conclusion, the current investigation shows that the S. glauca (DC). leaves extract could serve as an excellent source of minerals, reducing sugar, vitamins and amino acids which could be used for therapeutic purposes.