Asparagus (Asparagus racemosus L.) roots: nutritional profile, medicinal profile, preservation, and value addition

Abstract

Asparagus (Asparagus racemosus L.) is one of the most significant traditional medicinal plants, containing phytochemicals that are non-nutritive but beneficial to health. It contains bioactive metabolites such as fructo-oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, asparosides, shatavarins, sapogenins, racemosols, isoflavones, glycosides, mucilage, and fatty acids, while saponin is one of the main active constituents of asparagus roots. Asparagus helps in fertility promotion, stress management, and hormone modulation. It also treats stomach ulcers, kidney disorders, and Alzheimer's disease. Substitution of asparagus powder or extract for value addition of food products (such as beverages, bakery, and milk) enhances the nutritional and functional properties. Currently, the plant is considered endangered in its natural habitat because of its destructive harvesting, habitat destruction, and deforestation. As it is a highly perishable commodity, it needs proper handling, preservation, and storage. This review will outline the medicinal properties, uses, value addition, and preservation techniques of asparagus roots. The study found that, till now, the only preservation techniques used to increase the shelf life of asparagus roots are drying and irradiation.

Shatavari Supplementation in Postmenopausal Women Alters the Skeletal Muscle Proteome and Upregulates Proteins and Pathways Involved in Training Adaptation

“…We did not analyse the bioactive constituents of our shatavari root supplement. High quality quantitative characterisations of such supplements are lacking, with many investigations and reviews providing qualitative, rather than quantitative information [5,34]. One recent high-quality study exists and notably, they identi ed 33 different steroidal saponins [35].…”

Shatavari Supplementation in Postmenopausal Women Alters the Skeletal Muscle Proteome and Pathways Involved in Training Adaptation

“…We did not analyse the bioactive constituents of our shatavari root supplement. High quality quantitative characterisations of such supplements are lacking, with many investigations and reviews providing qualitative, rather than quantitative information [5,47]. One recent high-quality study exists and notably, they identified 33 different steroidal saponins [48].…”

Quality Evaluation of Asparagus officinalis by Profile of Amino Acids and Mineral Elements in Different Parts Combined with Chemometrics Methods

“…[3][4][5] The saponins in A. officinalis have anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and sedative properties. [6] Hence, A. officinalis is widely consumed because of its rich nutritional value and medicinal compositions in plant kingdoms worldwide. [7] A. officinalis was included in the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnosis and treatment proto-col for 2019-COVID in February 2020 and was proven effective in preventing 2019-COVID.…”

“…Rutin also has anti–inflammatory and antibacterial properties [3–5] . The saponins in A. officinalis have anticancer, anti‐inflammatory, and sedative properties [6] . Hence, A. officinalis is widely consumed because of its rich nutritional value and medicinal compositions in plant kingdoms worldwide [7] .…”