Alkaloid, Flavonoid, Fatty Acid and Vitamin Profiles of the Unripe Fruit of Solanum melongena L. (Round Variety)

Abstract

Solanum melongena L. (round variety) is an eggplant that is commonly called “garden egg” in Nigeria. The unripe fruit is often eaten as snack, dessert or vegetable. The dried fruit powder was evaluated for its alkaloid, flavonoid and fatty acid profiles by Gas Chromatography (GC). The vitamin profile was estimated by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The alkaloid profile showed the presence of high amounts of solamargine (134 ± 0.719 mg/100g) and solasonine (115 ± 0.455 mg/100g), with other alkaloids present in lower amounts. Flavonoid analysis showed high concentrations of kaemferol (6.41 x 102 ± 1.72 mg/100g dry weight), quercetin (5.60 x 102 ± 4.81 x 10-1 mg/100g dry weight) and myricertin (1.62 x 102 ± 6.93 x 10-1 mg/100 g dry weight). The fatty acid analysis showed the presence of linoleic acid (57.9 ± 0.387%), palmitic acid (15.1 ± 0.194 %), oleic acid (14.0 ± 0.115 %), linolenic acid (5.96 ± 0.0852 %), with other fatty acids present in lower or negligible amounts. Vitamin A (27.07 ± 0.42 mg/100g) and vitamin C (13.96 ± 0.23 mg/100 g) levels were higher than other vitamins. These results justify the nutritional richness and medicinal properties of the fruit.