Evaluation of biochemical contents, nutritional value, trace elements, SDS-PAGE and HPTLC profiling in the leaves of Ruellia tuberosa L. and Dipteracanthus patulus (Jacq.)

A. Manikandan# and D. Victor A

Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate the presence of biochemical contents, trace elements, nutritive value evaluation and determination of molecular weight of proteins by SDSPAGE and phytochemicals detection by HPTLC in the leaves and 50% hydroethanolic leaf extracts of Ruellia tuberosa L. and Dipteracanthus patulus (Jacq.). The biochemical contents, trace elements, nutritive value were determined by different biochemical methods, trace elements presence was detected by using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), while the proteins and phytochemicals were detected by using SDS-PAGE and HPTLC. Ruellia tuberosa L. and Dipteracanthus patulus (Jacq.) leaves confirmed the presence of flavonoids, glycosides, phenols saponins and showed minimum amount of trace elements with moderate nutritive value. Vitamins (E, C), total phenolics, carotenoid content and nutritive value were found to be greater in the leaves of Ruellia tuberosa L. The protein bands obtained in the SDS-PAGE was found to be similar for both the plant leaves. Our findings suggest that leaves of Ruellia tuberosa L. and Dipteracanthus patulus (Jacq.) is endowed with antioxidant phytochemicals and moderate nutritive value could serve as a base for future drugs.