International Journal of Noni Research - Noni Family

D.R.Singh
Jai Sunder
R.C.Srivastava
Authors’ affiliation :
D.R.Singh
Jai Sunder
R.C.Srivastava
Central Agricultural Research Institute
Indian council of Agricultural Research
Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
India - 744 101.
drsingh1966@yahoo.com
Correspondence to :
D.R.Singh
Central Agricultural Research Institute
Indian council of Agricultural Research
Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
India - 744 101.
drsingh1966@yahoo.com
75 Intl. J. Noni Res. 2007, 2(1-2)
Peptide and Mineral profile of
Morinda citrifolia fruits and leaves
Keywords : Peptide profile, leaves, fruits M.citrifolia
Abstract : Morinda citrifolia (noni) has a long history related to medical
uses in Southeast Asian countries. Today, noni grows in the majority of the
southern Pacific areas, in India, the Caribbean, South America and the
West Indies. In order to obtain better understanding of the medicinal
characteristics of the noni fruits and leaves, the peptide profile and the
mineral compositions of the raw juice extracted from M. citrifolia fruits
and leaves were determined. Morinda citrifolia fruit and leaves were
subjected to dry ashing for the preparation of acid-mineral extract for
micronutrients and macronutrients analysis by atomic absorption
spectrophotometer. For analysis of peptide profile the water extraction of
the M.citrifloia fruits and leaves were done and the extract was used for
HPLC analysis. The peptide profile of the Morinda citrifoilia fruits and
leaves were studied by using high performance liquid chromatography
(HPLC). The concentration of micro and macro mineral of M.citrifolia
leaves was found to be more than fruits. The HPLC analysis of the peptide
profile of the M.citrifolia revealed the following peptide in various
concentration such as Gly-Tyr, val-Tyr-Val, Meth-Enkaphalin and Leu-
Enkaphalin. Overall, the peptide concentration of the leaf extract was
found to be more than the fruit extract. High level of peptide Val-Tyr-Val
was found in leaf extract (15.856 ppm) while in fruit the peptide Leuenkephalin
was maximum (3.697 ppm). The peptide analysis of the
M.citrifolia may be useful in studying various alkaloids present in the
fruits and leaves and will be of use in studying the effect of Morinda
extract in immune system regulation.
Introduction
Andaman & Nicobar Islands have a vast variety and diversity in tropical
underutilized fruits. Their plant parts have a close association with local beliefs
and rituals and are used in health care needs in rich ethnic life of people. The
interesting fact is that the tribes i.e., Nicobari tribes of these islands have very
long association with noni plant, as they have been using different parts as
medicine for different purposes. They consume its fruits raw with salt as well
as cooked vegetables (Singh et al., 2005).