PHYTOCHEMICAL PROFILE AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF GREEN GRAM WHOLE (PHASEOLOUS AUREUS ROXB)

Green gram whole (Phaseolous Aureus Roxb), besides being rich in conventional nutrients i.e. carbohydrates, protein, vitamins and minerals, now-a-days  extolled as an excellent functional food attributed to the presence of phenols, flavonoids and other bioactive compounds. The objective of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical profile and antioxidant activity of methanolic-acetone extracts obtained from Green gram whole (Phaseolous Aureus Roxb). The antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydracyl) radical scavenging assay, ABTS (2,2'-Azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) radical scavenging assay and FRAP (Ferric reducing antioxidant power) assay. The results showed this legume to be a good antioxidant food source as DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assay values stood at 429.53±18.8mg Trolox equivalent/100g, 194.73±9.69mg Trolox equivalent/100g  and 1240.96±19.80mg ferrous sulphate/100g respectively. Of the phytochemical profile, total phenols and flavonoids were found to be 400.91±26.45mg gallic acid equivalent/100g and 144.96±5.15mg catechin equivalent/100g respectively. Correlation analyses exhibited poor correlation between total phenols and flavonoids, antioxidant activity assays while statistically significant correlation between flavonoids and antioxidant activity assays. Overall, green gram whole validates itself to be a potential functional food ingredient as an antidote to chronic, degenerative diseases.