Antioxidant and nutritional evaluation of Bhu Udumbara (Ficus semicordata Buch.-Ham. ex Sm.) leaves and fruits: An extra pharmacopoeial drug of Ayurveda

BACKGROUND: Ficus semicordata Buch.-Ham. ex Sm. (Moraceae) has been attributed with copious therapeutic claims in Indian traditional medical systems, especially for its ethnomedicinal and economical uses. AIMS: The present study was carried out to evaluate the heavy metal, pesticide, aflatoxin content, antioxidant and nutritional value of leaves and fruits of F. semicordata. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Heavy metal content; pesticide residues; aflatoxin content; antioxidant potential; and different nutritional parameters such as total carbohydrate, true protein, protein, total fat, energy, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, iron, zinc, manganese, phosphorus, calcium of the leaves, and fruits were evaluated following the standard guidelines. RESULTS: Fruit powder shows the presence of 72.94 ppm Pb while <0.01 ppm Pb in leaf powder whereas Cd, Hg, and as were <0.01 ppm in both leaf and fruit powders. Pesticide residue and aflatoxin cotent in both leaves and fruit were below the limit of quantification. Antioxidant activities of both leaves and fruits increased with increasing concentrations in the dose-dependent manner by Diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay and phosphomolybdenum assay. Fruits are found more nutritious with highest content of true protein, total fat, energy, Vitamin A, iron, zinc and phosphorus whereas the leaves are having highest content of total carbohydrate, protein, Vitamin C, manganese and calcium. CONCLUSION: The results of this study shows that in the leaves and fruits of F. semicordata mercury, cadmium, arsenic, pesticides residues and aflatoxin content are below the limit of quantification and possess mild antioxidant properties. Fruits are found more nutritious with the highest content of true protein, total fat, energy, Vitamin A, iron, zinc and phosphorus. Being wild, it is easily accessible and cheaper source of nutrition.