Sweet potato leaf may show positive effects on human health and nutrition

[yeahright]

Sweet potato leaf may show positive effects on human health and nutrition

NewsRx.com

05-26-06

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) leaf may show positive effects on human health and nutrition.

"Previous experiments revealed that sweet potato leaves contain a high content of polyphenolics, namely anthocyanins and phenolic acids, compared with the major commercial vegetables. Sweet potato leaves contain at least 15 biologically active anthocyanins that have significant medicinal value for certain human diseases and may also be used as natural food colorants. The anthocyanins were acylated cyanidin and peonidin type," a review from the United States reports.

S. Islam at the University of Arkansas explained, "The phenolic acids were composed of caffeic acid (CA) and 5 kinds of caffeoylquinic acid derivatives, 3-mono-O-caffeoylquinic acid (chlorogenic acid, ChA), 3,4-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (3,4-diCQA), 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (3,5-diCQA), 4,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (4,5-diCQA), and 3,4,5-tri-O-caffeoylquinic acid (3,4,5-triCQA).

"These polyphenolics showed various kinds of physiological functions, radical scavenging activity, antimutagenic activity, anticancer, antidiabetes, and antibacterial activity in vitro or in vivo, which may be helpful for maintaining and promoting human health. The physiological function of caffeoylquinic acid (CQA) derivatives with the plural caffeoyl group is more effective than with a monocaffeoyl one."

The author finished, "This review describes the nutritional composition and physiological functions of sweet potato leaves when used as a vegetable, and as a resource for products with these functions."

Islam published the review in the Journal of Food Science (Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) leaf: Its potential effect on human health and nutrition. J Food Sci, 2006;71(2):R13-R21).

For additional information, contact S. Islam, University of Arkansas, Dept. Agriculture, Mail Slot 4913, 1200 N University of Dr., Pine Bluff, AR 71601, USA.

Publisher contact information for the Journal of Food Science is: Institute Food Technologists, 525 West Van Buren, Ste. 1000, Chicago, IL 60607-3814, USA.

Keywords: Pine Bluff, Arkansas, United States, Anti-Infectives, Antibacterial Activity, Anticancer, Anticancer Therapy, Antidiabetes, Antimicrobials, Antimutagenic, Antioxidant, Antioxidants, Caffeoylquinic Acid Derivative, Diabetes, Polyphenol, Scavenging Activity, Sweet Potato Leaves, Ipomoea batatas.

This article was prepared by Biotech Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Biotech Week via NewsRx.com.

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[Ubiquitous]

anyone notice the barrage of studies that yeahright is contributing? It's like a rapid fire cerebral pummeling.

good work, you seem to have as much time at the desk as I have these days.