Phytochemical Screening of Indian Jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana) and Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) Leaves Extracted by Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE)

Abstract

Recently, scientists explored the potential of certain tropical plant species like Ziziphus sp. and Artocarpus sp. for antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antigout properties due to their high-level bioactive compounds, polyphenols, flavonoids, and alkaloids. Despite the vast medicinal potential of these plants, a common practice in the agri-industry to collect and burn fallen Ziziphus mauritiana (Indian jujube) and Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. (Jackfruit) leaves, which contribute to the greenhouse effect and global warming. Therefore, the utilisation of Z mauritiana and A. heterophyllus Lam. leaves in therapeutic medicine may increase their economic value and improve the agri-industry in terms of sustainability, aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030 agenda; SDG 3: Good health and wellbeing and SDG 13: Climate action. This research investigates the physicochemical properties of compounds extracted from Z mauritiana and A. heterophyllus Lam. leaves using ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) technique at two amplitudes: 20 kHz and 40 kHz. Both plants leaves are found to have coumarins, saponins, quinones, phenols, glycosides, carbohydrates, and tannins. Z. mauritiana leaves extracted at 40 kHz showed the highest antioxidant capacity and phenolic content of 74.34% and 4.549 mg GAE/g, respectively. The amplitude of UAE plays a significant role in chemical extraction as a high UAE amplitude (40 kHz) has demonstrated the highest antioxidant capacity and phenolic content.