Pioneering study on phytochemical, nutritional, antioxidant, and antidiabetic potential of <i>Xanthosoma brasiliense</i> (Desf.) Engl.: a key plant species from Kerala, India

<i>Xanthosoma brasiliense</i> (Desf.) Engl. (Araceae) is a leafy vegetable with nutritional and therapeutic potential. This study evaluated its nutritional composition, phytochemicals, High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) profile, antioxidant, and antidiabetic activity. Proximate analysis showed carbohydrate 0.41 ± 0.01 mg glucose equivalents per gram dry weight (mg glucose Eq./g DW), protein 0.55 ± 0.02 mg bovine serum albumin equivalents per gram dry weight (mg BSA Eq./g DW), fibre 12.0 ± 0.4 mg/g DW, fat 0.16 ± 0.01% DW, ash 12.3 ± 0.4% DW, and moisture 62.0 ± 1.1% fresh weight. HPLC identified gallic, caffeic, rutin, quercetin, and ferulic acid. Antioxidant assays showed half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of 1.818 mg/mL for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 0.506 mg/mL for 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) of 41.21 μg Trolox equivalents per gram dry weight (μg TE/g DW).α-Amylase (IC₅₀ = 0.979 mg/mL) and α-glucosidase (IC₅₀ = 1.904 mg/mL) inhibition matched acarbose, confirming antidiabetic potential.