Potential Nutritional and Medicinal Sources from Fruit Peels in Manila, Philippines

Abstract

Abstract-The environment is continually deteriorating. Biodegradable wastes increase with increasing population. The problem in wastes affect the integrity of the earth. Problems in health and nutrition are common. Finding important chemicals from fruit peels like total sugars or carbohydrates, as well as alkaloids will help address daily challenges in nutrition and health. This study aimed to determine the phytochemicals present in the peels of the selected fruits obtained from Manila, Philippines. Specifically it aimed to determine the presence of total sugars and alkaloids. Further it aimed to obtain the amounts of total sugars and alkaloids in the fruit peel samples analyzed. All fruit peels from rambutan (Nepheleum lappacium), lanzones (Lansium domesticum), pomelo (Citrus grandis), longgan (Dimocarpus longana), dalandan (Citrus nobilis), ponkan (Citrus reticulata), mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) qualitatively showed the presence of reducing sugars as well as glycosides. Pomelo, rambutan, longgan, and mangosteen contain tannins. Lanzones contains alkaloids. Sugars and alkaloids for lanzones gave the highest intensity in the phytochemical screening done. It was only lanzones which gave positive results to all tests related to alkaloids. The amounts of total sugars in both the diluted and stock solution (20% decoction) fruit peel samples showed a range of 1.801 to more than 164 ug/ml concentrations. The alkaloidal contents of lanzones showed 0.0312 mg/ml level at 1:9 dilution. Since the samples studied showed the presence of heavy metals, although still within the allowed limit by USP and NF, it is best to decontaminate the fruit peels or isolate and purify the active ingredient/s from it prior to the actual preparation of the pharmacologic and nutritional products.

Lansium domesticum—A Fruit with Multi-Benefits: Traditional Uses, Phytochemicals, Nutritional Value, and Bioactivities

“…A total of 112 compounds have been reported from L. domesticum (excluding nutrients such as amino acids, protein, and sugars), including various classes of triterpenoids (e.g., swietenine, onoceranoid, cycloatanoid, and tetranortriterpenoid), cardenolides, steroids, sesquiterpenes, organic acids, phenolics, and volatile compounds. It was reported that the fruit peel had an abundant level of reductive substances, glycosides, organic acids, alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenolics, but it had no saponins [ 51 , 52 ]. Phytochemical screening of the bark revealed the existence of anthraquinones, alkaloids, flavonoids, coumarins, cardiac glycosides, tannins, saponins, and iridoids [ 24 ].…”

“…Phytochemical screening of the bark revealed the existence of anthraquinones, alkaloids, flavonoids, coumarins, cardiac glycosides, tannins, saponins, and iridoids [ 24 ]. Further, a toxic constituent such as lansium acid (6%) was detected in the peel [ 52 , 53 ]…”

The Potential Use of Nephelium lappaceum Seed as Coagulant–Coagulant Aid in the Treatment of Semi-Aerobic Landfill Leachate

“…According to Zafar et al [ 35 ], natural coagulant neutralises the particle charges and aggregates flocs through bridging mechanisms by bio-polymers such as polysaccharides which can be found naturally in fruits and vegetables. Polysaccharides are one of the carbohydrate subgroups that contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen [ 36 ]. Furthermore, Aziz and Sobri [ 37 ] reported that carboxyl (C=O), hydroxyl (O-H), and amino (amine or amide) grouped together with polymeric chains have the capability to enhance flocculation through bridging.…”

Ethnochemistry of Maguindanaons' on the Usage of Household Chemicals: Implications to Chemistry Education

“…Also showed rich in tannins (Monzon, et. al., 2016) and high alkaloids (Solidum, 2012) which have larvicidal potential.…”