Proximate composition, minerals, phytochemicals, and functional activities of jujube fruits grown in Bangladesh

• Published in: Journal of agriculture and food research Vol. 8; p. 100302
• Main Authors: Hasan, S. M. Kamrul, Kabir, Md Rayhan, Kabir, Md Raihan, Islam, Md Rakibul, Akhter, Most Jesmin, Moury, Joeyrea Yasmin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01-06-2022; Elsevier
• Subjects: Antidiabetics; Antioxidants; Bioactive compounds; Cultivars; Jujube fruits; Nutritional values; Antioxidants; Jujube fruits; Bioactive compounds; Nutritional values; Cultivars; Antidiabetics
• ISSN: 2666-1543; 2666-1543
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jafr.2022.100302

Different varieties of jujube fruits are being grown and consumed in Bangladesh for their nutritional and biological functions. The functional properties of jujube fruits are credited to the abundance of phytochemical compounds. Unfortunately, the quantification and functional characterization of phytochemicals in jujube fruits grown in Bangladesh have not been investigated. To address this, four cultivars of jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana) fruits grown in Bangladesh were characterized with respect to proximate composition, mineral and phytochemical contents with their antioxidant and antidiabetic activities. Investigations showed that all cultivars of jujube fruits contained a significant amount (% DM) of carbohydrate (76.10–77.3), protein (4.23–5.00), fat (1.35–2.33), ash (3.08–3.28), and fiber (5.66–7.35). Calcium, potassium, sodium, and iron were the major minerals in four cultivars of jujube fruits. Apple Kul showed considerably (p < 0.05) highest contents of total phenolic (17.4 mg GAE/g DM), total flavonoid (4.75 mg QE/g DM), and anthocyanin (17.18 mg cyanidin 3-glucoside/g DM) followed by Kolmi Kul, Deshi Kul, and BAU Kul. The vitamin C content followed the order (p < 0.05): BAU Kul > Deshi Kul > Komli Kul > Apple Kul. The carotenoid content was highest in Kolmi Kul. The antioxidant activity was highest in Apple Kul while BAU Kul and Kolmi Kul represented the highest antidiabetic activity. Correlation analysis showed that vitamin C, total phenolic, and total flavonoid content were the main phytochemicals for antioxidant and antidiabetic functions in jujube fruits. Jujube fruits were also found to have maximum contents of phytochemicals and antioxidant activity at the “mature” stage than “ripening start”, “full ripe” and “overripe” stages. Therefore, the results demonstrated that the jujube fruits in Bangladesh have promising potential to be used as functional foods or natural antioxidants with beneficial effects on human health.
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•Four cultivars of jujube fruits grown in Bangladesh were systemically studied in nutrients and phytochemicals.•Jujube fruits were rich in different phytochemicals along with excellent sources of protein, minerals, and dietary fibers.•All cultivars of jujube fruits showed significant levels of antioxidant and antidiabetic activities.•Phytochemical contents and related biological functions were varied during the stages of fruit development.