Abstract

Curculigo pilosa (CP) rhizome traditionally used in the manufacture of infant food and sorghum beer in West Africa was assessed for its nutritional composition, mineral content as well as antioxidant activities. Results from the proximate analysis showed that the rhizome contains crude fibre (34.76%), carbohydrate (34.09%) and moderate energy value (188.77 Kcal/100 g). Crude protein, crude fat, ash and moisture constituted 11.01, 0.93, 5.16 and 12.28%, respectively of the rhizome weight. Among the minerals, Fe content (36.14±0.04) was the most abundant. The 2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydracyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) activities were found to be high when compared to rutin and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). Moderate inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) radicals and reductive capability in phosphomolybdenum assay was also recorded. Phenolic, flavonoids and proanthocyanidin contents were 65.17, 23.17 and 4.23 mg/g of dry plant material, respectively. The study suggests that rhizome of CP may be a good dietary source of nutrients and natural antioxidant.

Key words: Curculigo pilosa, proximate composition, mineral contents, antioxidant activity.

Abbreviation

 DPPH, 2,2-Diphenyl-1- picrylhydracyl; BHT, butylated hydroxyl toluene; FRAP, ferric reducing antioxidant power; CP, Curculigo pilosa; NO, nitric oxide.