FRUITS OF SOLANUM ACULEATISSIMUM JACQ.A NUTRACEUTICAL ENRICHED INVASIVEWEED

Solanum, the hyper and diverse genus belongs to Solanaceae. It is represented in Kerala by about 33 species including those domesticated for their leaves, fruit vegetables or used as traditional medicine. Solanum aculeatissimum Jacq. commonly known as African night shade is used by the local people as fruit vegetable. Fresh healthy fruits of S. aculeatissimum were collected from the Western Ghats of Munnar hills, Kerala. Nutraceuticals properties of fruits were investigated and the results obtained were compared with other proven edible fruit plants. The major vitamins present in the fruits are thiamine (3.5 µg/g), riboflavin (1.8 µg/g), niacin (36.2 µg/g). Ascorbic acid level was (1.7 mg/g), pro-vitamin (166.2 µg/g). The essential minerals in the fruits were Fe (3.8), Ca (73) and Zn (14) in mg/100g (DW). Total protein and sugar levels were 4.11 ± 0.98 and 3.6 ± 1.3 mg/g tissue respectively. Further, the essential amino acid such as phenyl alanine and isoleucine were 33.63 and 40.22 µg/ g tissue. Anti nutritional factors in the fruits are phytic acid, and alkaloids. Trypsin and chymotrypsin protease inhibitors are present in substantial level, Total phenol was remarkably high i.e., 27.4 mg/g tissue, while flavonoid and tannin levels were 1.66 mg/g and 4.54 µg/ g tissue. The presence of these phytochemicals suggests that S. aculeatissimum may be potential source of many biological properties such as analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive and antimicrobial. Despite the nutraceuticals, this species is still treated as invasive weed. Moreover, eco-friendly utilization of this species is already attempted in certain countries. The pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies should utilize this exotic fast growing Solanum with great commitments and need to address this bioresource.