Advance Research on Nutraceutical Composition of Mature Jute Leaves

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of plant age on the nutrients of jute leaves [Corchorus capsularis (CVL-1)]. Jute seeds were sown on Jute Seed Production and Research Centre, Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI), Nashipur, Dinajpur, Bangladesh, an experimental field and the leaves were harvested on three day basis interval from the 15th day to 33th day after seed sowing (DASS) when senescence has started setting in. The moisture, protein, fat, crude fibre and ash of the plant leaves were determined using AOAC standard methods. The results obtained showed high moisture content which decreased from the 15th day after seed sowing (DASS) till the 33th DASS (82.46%-48.58%), the minimum value for ash (7.84%) was observed at 18th DASS while the maximum value 14.35% was observed at the 33th DASS. The crude protein content increased from 15th DASS (19.01%) till 24th DASS (26.46%) and reduced till final harvesting at 33th DASS (16.65%), fat content ranges from 1.54%-2.95%, fibre content increased from the 15th DASS till 33th DASS. On the other hand, the energy value of mature (DASS) 100 g dried leaf was 111 KJ. The study indicated that as the leaf matures the nutritional quality increases and the optimum value for crude protein was observed at 24th DASS. It also contain relatively high levels of phytochemical components, the processing and preparation methods prior to consumption reduce their final consumed nutraceutical amount.