IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

RESEARCH JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE AND QUALITY CONTROL (RJFSQC )

E-ISSN 2504-6145
P-ISSN 2695-2459
VOL. 10 NO. 6 2024
DOI: 10.56201/rjfsqc.v10.no6.2024.pg140.155

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Evaluation of Antioxidant and Antinutritional Maturity Variability Stages in Vegetable Fern ( Diplazium esculentum

) Fronds Consumed as Food in Nigeria Nsidibe Nduenie Umodioh & Aniekpeno Isaac Elijah, PhD :

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Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of maturity stages on the antinutritional and antioxidant activity of vegetable fern fronds using standard methods. Fresh tender and matured fronds of vegetable fern were obtained from Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The plant was identified in the herbarium, Department of Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo. The study adopted experimental research design to systematically analyze the impact of maturity on DPPH scavenging activity, reducing power (RP) activity, total phenolic and flavonoid content, phytochemical composition, and antinutritional factors in tender and matured fronds. Results showed that total phenolic content was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in matured fronds (91.7 mgGAE/g) than in tender fronds (29.6 mgGAE/g). Similarly, total flavonoid content was higher in matured (266 mgRE/g) than in tender fronds (75 mgRE/g). Antinutritional composition was higher in matured fronds, except for alkaloid and saponin, which were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in tender fronds. Phytochemicals (steroids, total anthraquinone, and cardiac glycoside) were not significantly affected by maturity or pretreatment. DPPH scavenging activity was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in matured fronds at 20, 40, and 100 µg/ml, except in hot water blanched samples, where tender fronds had higher activity. Sun-dried matured fronds exhibited the highest DPPH inhibition (66–85%) across all concentrations. Reducing power activity was higher in shade-dried and untreated tender fronds, while treatment variables did not significantly (p < 0.05) affect matured fronds. The IC50 for untreated tender fronds (29.5 µg/ml) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of untreated matured fronds (15.0 µg/ml), indicating stronger antioxidant potential in matured fronds. From the findings of the study, it was recommended that matured fronds, rich in phenolics

keywords:

Antioxidant, Antinutrient, Phytochemicals, Vegetable Fern, Fronds, Maturity Stages,

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