Nutritional, Phytochemical, and Antimicrobial Properties of <i>Carica papaya</i> Leaves: Implications for Health Benefits and Food Applications
Background: Papaya leaves (PLs) are known for their therapeutic benefits and traditional use in treating inflammation, infections, and various health conditions. Rich in bioactive compounds, PLs are studied for their potential applications in functional foods. This study analyzed their nutritional,...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| author | Rajni Choudhary Ravinder Kaushik Ansab Akhtar Suvendu Manna Jyoti Sharma Aarti Bains |
| author_facet | Rajni Choudhary Ravinder Kaushik Ansab Akhtar Suvendu Manna Jyoti Sharma Aarti Bains |
| author_sort | Rajni Choudhary |
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| description | Background: Papaya leaves (PLs) are known for their therapeutic benefits and traditional use in treating inflammation, infections, and various health conditions. Rich in bioactive compounds, PLs are studied for their potential applications in functional foods. This study analyzed their nutritional, phytochemical, structural, thermal, and antimicrobial properties to evaluate their role as a health-promoting ingredient. Methods: Phytochemicals were quantified spectrophotometrically and identified via GC-MS. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH and FRAP assays. Mineral content was determined using ICP-OES. Structural and thermal properties were evaluated using FTIR, XRD, and calorimetry, and antimicrobial activity was tested via the agar well diffusion method. Results: PLs contained 25.75% crude protein, 41.49% carbohydrates, and high levels of flavonoids (21.00 mg QE/g), phenolics (8.85 mg GAE/g), and tannins (430 mg TAE/g). Antioxidant assays confirmed strong free radical scavenging potential. Mineral analysis showed abundant K, Ca, Mg, Na, and Fe (4071, 1079, 789.2, 361.2, and 228.2 mg/kg, respectively). Structural and thermal analysis revealed bioactive functional groups, 23.9% crystallinity, and thermal degradation characteristics. PLs exhibited antimicrobial activity, inhibiting <i>E. coli</i>, <i>S. aureus</i>, <i>B. subtilis</i>, and <i>K. pneumoniae</i> with zones of 22.05–25.15 mm. Conclusions: PLs demonstrate strong nutritional, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, supporting their inclusion in functional food. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
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| series | Foods |
| spelling | doaj-art-9defe684492a4f50ad81b3a6735f38542025-01-24T13:32:40ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-01-0114215410.3390/foods14020154Nutritional, Phytochemical, and Antimicrobial Properties of <i>Carica papaya</i> Leaves: Implications for Health Benefits and Food ApplicationsRajni Choudhary0Ravinder Kaushik1Ansab Akhtar2Suvendu Manna3Jyoti Sharma4Aarti Bains5School of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), Dehradun 248007, Uttarakhand, IndiaSchool of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), Dehradun 248007, Uttarakhand, IndiaSchool of Medicine, Louisiana State University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USASustainability Cluster, School of Advance Engineering, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), Dehradun 248007, Uttarakhand, IndiaDepartment of Botany, Baba Mastnath University, Rohtak 124001, Haryana, IndiaDepartment of Microbiology, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara 144411, Punjab, IndiaBackground: Papaya leaves (PLs) are known for their therapeutic benefits and traditional use in treating inflammation, infections, and various health conditions. Rich in bioactive compounds, PLs are studied for their potential applications in functional foods. This study analyzed their nutritional, phytochemical, structural, thermal, and antimicrobial properties to evaluate their role as a health-promoting ingredient. Methods: Phytochemicals were quantified spectrophotometrically and identified via GC-MS. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH and FRAP assays. Mineral content was determined using ICP-OES. Structural and thermal properties were evaluated using FTIR, XRD, and calorimetry, and antimicrobial activity was tested via the agar well diffusion method. Results: PLs contained 25.75% crude protein, 41.49% carbohydrates, and high levels of flavonoids (21.00 mg QE/g), phenolics (8.85 mg GAE/g), and tannins (430 mg TAE/g). Antioxidant assays confirmed strong free radical scavenging potential. Mineral analysis showed abundant K, Ca, Mg, Na, and Fe (4071, 1079, 789.2, 361.2, and 228.2 mg/kg, respectively). Structural and thermal analysis revealed bioactive functional groups, 23.9% crystallinity, and thermal degradation characteristics. PLs exhibited antimicrobial activity, inhibiting <i>E. coli</i>, <i>S. aureus</i>, <i>B. subtilis</i>, and <i>K. pneumoniae</i> with zones of 22.05–25.15 mm. Conclusions: PLs demonstrate strong nutritional, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, supporting their inclusion in functional food.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/2/154papaya leavesphenolic compoundsphytochemicalsantioxidant activity |
| spellingShingle | Rajni Choudhary Ravinder Kaushik Ansab Akhtar Suvendu Manna Jyoti Sharma Aarti Bains Nutritional, Phytochemical, and Antimicrobial Properties of <i>Carica papaya</i> Leaves: Implications for Health Benefits and Food Applications Foods papaya leaves phenolic compounds phytochemicals antioxidant activity |
| title | Nutritional, Phytochemical, and Antimicrobial Properties of <i>Carica papaya</i> Leaves: Implications for Health Benefits and Food Applications |
| title_full | Nutritional, Phytochemical, and Antimicrobial Properties of <i>Carica papaya</i> Leaves: Implications for Health Benefits and Food Applications |
| title_fullStr | Nutritional, Phytochemical, and Antimicrobial Properties of <i>Carica papaya</i> Leaves: Implications for Health Benefits and Food Applications |
| title_full_unstemmed | Nutritional, Phytochemical, and Antimicrobial Properties of <i>Carica papaya</i> Leaves: Implications for Health Benefits and Food Applications |
| title_short | Nutritional, Phytochemical, and Antimicrobial Properties of <i>Carica papaya</i> Leaves: Implications for Health Benefits and Food Applications |
| title_sort | nutritional phytochemical and antimicrobial properties of i carica papaya i leaves implications for health benefits and food applications |
| topic | papaya leaves phenolic compounds phytochemicals antioxidant activity |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/2/154 |
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