Phytosterol, phenolic acid, amino acid and sugar profiles of the unripe fruits of Solanum melongena L. (Round variety)

Numerous health benefits of consuming eggplant fruits (Solanum melongena L.) have been reported. This research was carried out to determine some of the constituents responsible for its nutritional and medicinal properties. The unripe fruits of Solanum melongena L. (round variety) were evaluated for its phytosterol, phenolic acid, amino acid and sugar profiles by gas chromatography. The Phytosterol analysis showed the presence of seven phytosterols and sitosterol (233 ± 0.852 mg/100g) was found to be significantly higher (p<0.01) than the other phytosterols. The phenolic acid profile of the fruit also showed the presence of resorcinol, chlorogenic acid and other phenolic acid, with phenol having the highest concentration (764 ± 0.872 mg/100g). The Amino acid profile showed the presence of seventeen amino acids. Glutamate (11.76 ± 0.08 g/100g) and aspartate (10.49 ± 0.06 g/100g), were found to be significantly higher (p<0.01) than the other amino acids. Amino acids play central role in the synthesis of proteins and as intermediates in metabolism. The sugar profile showed the presence of ribose, xylose and other sugars, with fructose having the highest concentration (3.34±0 .0267 mg/100g).