Phytochemical screening and in-vitro pharmacological evaluation of three vegetable peel extracts

Abstract

Fruits and vegetables are used for nutritive purpose and also for disease prevention and treatment but peels remain un-utilized and usually thrown away as waste material. The purpose of this study was to evaluate peel extracts of three vegetables (Allium sativum, Brassica rapa and Solanum tuberosum) for phytochemical constituents, antibacterial and antioxidant activity in-vitro. The phytochemical analysis of vegetable peel extracts was conducted according to standard procedures. The antibacterial activity was performed by disc diffusion method. Total phenolics (TFC), total flavonoids (TFC) contents, DPPH radical inhibition activity and reducing activity assay were used for the estimation of antioxidant potential. The phytochemical results showed that Solanum tuberosum peel extracts have more bioactive constituents than Allium sativum and Brassica rapa. Antibacterial activity of Allium sativum and Brassica rapa peel extracts was more prominent against gram negative bacteria while Solanum tuberosum peel extracts activity was higher against gram positive bacteria. The overall antioxidant activity in three different vegetable peels was highest due to TPC as compared to other antioxidants. The Brassica rapa peels was found to contain highest TPC followed by Allium sativum and Solanum tuberosum.  So, it was concluded that peels of three vegetables have important bioactive constituents and pharmacological activities. Future perspectives are isolation and characterization of pharmacologically active constituents from vegetable peels for human/veterinary medicine.