Health Benefits and Antioxidant Power in Different Parts of White Mulberry

Greg Howard
31st July, 2024

Health Benefits and Antioxidant Power in Different Parts of White Mulberry

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study from Sher-E-Kashmir University in Kashmir analyzed the bioactive compounds in different parts of the mulberry plant
  • Mulberry fruit had the highest levels of total phenols and flavonoids, making it a potent antioxidant source
  • Mulberry leaves contained the highest amount of ascorbic acid and carotenoids, beneficial for health and nutrition
Mulberry (Morus alba L.) has long been recognized for its medicinal and nutritional properties, making it a versatile plant with numerous applications. Recent research conducted by Sher-E-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology Kashmir[1] delves into the bioactive compounds found in various parts of the mulberry plant and evaluates their antioxidant potential. The study utilized High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and spectrophotometric methodologies to analyze methanolic extracts from the fruit, root, shoot, and leaf of the mulberry plant. The investigation aimed to identify and quantify the bioactive compounds, such as phenols, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, anthocyanins, and carotenoids, and assess their antioxidant activities through different assays. The findings revealed that the fruit of the mulberry plant exhibited the highest levels of total phenols (533.8 ± 15.6 mg/100 g) and flavonoids (232.3 ± 7.1 mg/100 g), while the leaf contained the highest total ascorbic acid content (70.9 ± 3.1 mg/100 g). The fruit also showed a significant concentration of anthocyanins (142.5 ± 3.1 mg/100 g), whereas the leaf was rich in carotenoids, specifically beta-carotene (5.8 ± 0.3 mg/100 g). Major phenolic acids detected included ferulic acid, m-coumaric acid, syringic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, and gallic acid. The primary flavonoids in the fruit were quercetin and isoquercetin, while the main anthocyanins were cyanidin-3-rutinoside (25.6 ± 2.3 mg/100 g) and cyanidin-3-glucoside (16.4 ± 2.1 mg/100 g). The antioxidant activity of the different parts of the mulberry plant was evaluated using various assays, including 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP), β-carotene bleaching (BCBA), and Hydroxyl Radical Scavenging Activity (HRSA). The fruit demonstrated the highest antioxidant activity, with an EC50 value of 174.2 ± 2.2 µg/mL, indicating its potential as an effective antioxidant. These findings support previous research that highlights the nutritional and medicinal benefits of mulberry. For instance, mulberry has been identified for its high phenolic and flavonoid content, which contribute to its antioxidant and antidiabetic properties[2]. The Zagtul variety of Morus alba, in particular, was noted for its significant phenolic and flavonoid content, as well as its antioxidant potential[2]. Additionally, mulberry's various parts, including fruits, leaves, twigs, and bark, have been recognized for their anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects[3]. The current study expands on these earlier findings by providing a comprehensive analysis of the bioactive compounds in different parts of the mulberry plant and their respective antioxidant activities. The identification of specific phenolic acids, flavonoids, and anthocyanins in the mulberry fruit and leaves underscores the plant's potential as a functional food and dietary supplement. Moreover, the high antioxidant activity observed in the fruit suggests that it could be utilized in the development of natural antioxidant products. In conclusion, the research conducted by Sher-E-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology Kashmir provides valuable insights into the bioactive compounds present in various parts of the mulberry plant and their antioxidant potential. These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting the use of mulberry as a functional food and dietary supplement, with potential applications in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

HealthBiochemPlant Science

References

Main Study

1) Bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity in various parts of Morus alba L. Cv. ichinose: a comparative analysis

Published 30th July, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11084-024-09650-9

Related Studies

2) Metabolomic Profiling and Identification of Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Compounds from Leaves of Different Varieties of Morus alba Linn Grown in Kashmir.

https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.2c01623

3) Nutritional constituents of mulberry and their potential applications in food and pharmaceuticals: A review.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.03.056


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