Abstract:
Medicinal plants are the sources of many important drugs in the world‟s
pharmaceuticals. The present study attempts to evaluate the proximate
estimation of physicochemical properties of seeds of Syzygium cumini L.
Skeels, Brassica alba L. Rabenh, Trigonella foenum-graecum L. and Nigella
sativa L. Proximate nutrient and total caloric content of the seeds were
estimated according to the standard protocols recommended by the
Association of Analytical Chemists (AOAC) and bomb calorimeter method
respectively. The pH in 1% w/v (1g; 100 ml) of water-soluble portions of
seed powder and essential chemical elements were determined by the
standard simple glass electrode pH meter and flame photometric method
respectively. According to the results, the highest and the lowest ash contents
were found in Syzygium sp. (16.19%) and Nigella sp. (3.86%) respectively.
The moisture content ranged between 11.44% (Syzygium sp.) and 2.64%
(Nigella sp.). The fat content varied from 7.30% (Syzygium sp.) to 25.28%
(Nigella sp.). The caloric content was significantly higher in Nigella sp.
(595.56 kcal/100g) and the lowest amount was found Syzygium sp. (314.7
kcal/100g). All the seeds showed approximately same pH values and ranged
between 5.42 (Nigella sp.) and 5.60 (Syzygium sp.). Syzygium sp. has a
higher percentage of all the tested chemical elements such as Barium
(1.743%), Sodium (0.831%), Calcium (1.203%) and Potassium (0.632%)
than other plant seeds. The present study concludes the chances of
discovering significant physicochemical properties in seeds of Syzygium
cumini L. is the highest and it can be used as a potential source in the
traditional system of medicine.
