Original Research Article
Year: 2023 | Month: August | Volume: 13 | Issue: 8 | Pages: 113-122
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20230818
Comparative Study of Fresh and Various Drying Methods on the Proximate and Phytochemical Analysis of Urtica dioica
Ridhima Singh1, Mansi Chaudhary1, Ekta Singh Chauhan2
1Research Scholar, 2Associate Professor
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Banasthali Vidyapith, Tonk, Rajasthan-304022
Corresponding Author: Ekta Singh Chauhan
ABSTRACT
Urtica dioica, a highly nutritious medicinal herb that grows naturally, requires no maintenance. This herb is rich in protein, calcium, and iron, as well as countless bioactive compounds making them supportive to combat various diseases, particularly diabetes, anemia, cancer, and hypertension. The current study was designed to determine the proximate and phytochemical analysis of fresh leaves and dried leaves of Urtica dioica by using different methods: sun-drying, shadow-drying, and oven-drying. The experiments were performed by the standard procedure of the Association of Analytical Communities. The sun-drying and oven-drying leaves of Urtica dioica were found to have a similar and maximum concentration of protein as compared with the fresh and shadow-drying leaves. Furthermore, calcium and iron content were higher and found significantly maximum (p<0.05) in sun-drying leaves as compared to fresh, shadow-drying, and oven-drying leaves. Qualitative phytochemical analysis showed the presence of bioactive compounds in both fresh and dried leaves of Urtica dioica. The presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, and terpenoids was confirmed in the ethanolic extract in the current study. Cardiac glycosides and anthocyanin were not present in the leaves of Urtica dioica. Meanwhile, the current study confirmed bioactive compounds are not sensitive to the drying process of leaves. Urtica dioica is an excellent source of nutrients and phytochemicals used as a fresh green herb as well as in dried form for the prevention of various nutrient deficiency disorders. Hence, it should be added as a nutritional supplement.
Key words: Urtica dioica, Sun-drying, Shadow-drying, Oven-drying, Proximate, Phytochemical.