Analysis of nutritional composition and antioxidant activity of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) leaf and petiole

Authors

  • Maria Dinu University of Craiova, Faculty of Horticulture
  • Rodica Soare University of Craiova, Faculty of Agriculture
  • Cristina Babeanu University of Craiova, Faculty of Sciences
  • Gheorghita Hoza University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, Faculty of Horticulture

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5073/JABFQ.2018.091.017

Abstract

Two cultivars of sweet potatoes, Pumpkin and Chestnut, were planted in the didactic field of the Faculty of Horticulture, Craiova, and biochemical determinations were carried out from the blades and petioles of the leaves. This study highlights the antioxidant properties of these species, which are not well known in Romania, to encourage consumption of the vegetative parts of the plant, as well as use of the leaves in the future to develop natural antioxidants. The chlorophyll and carotene content in the blade and petiole were determined, highlighting the large amounts of petiole, depending on the cultivar. Catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX), and vitamin C content, as well as total dry matter (TDM), reducing sugars, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity, were also measured. The petioles exhibited high antioxidant activity, with 62.186 μmol TE/g FW in Pumpkin and 95.168 μmol TE/g FW in Chestnut. The cultivars also exhibited differences at the blade level, with high values recorded for the Chestnut cultivar. Positive correlations between total polyphenols and reducing sugars (r = 0.89), antioxidant activity and reducing sugars (r = 0.48), and antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds (r = 0.53) were found. This study demonstrates that sweet potato leaves are a potential, inexpensive and beneficial source of natural antioxidants.

Author Biographies

  • Rodica Soare, University of Craiova, Faculty of Agriculture

    Department of Agricultural and Forestry Technologies

  • Cristina Babeanu, University of Craiova, Faculty of Sciences

    Department of Chemistry

  • Gheorghita Hoza, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, Faculty of Horticulture

    Department of Bioengineering of Horticultural systems

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Published

2018-05-29

How to Cite

Analysis of nutritional composition and antioxidant activity of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) leaf and petiole. (2018). Journal of Applied Botany and Food Quality, 91, 120-125. https://doi.org/10.5073/JABFQ.2018.091.017