Phytochemicals Analysis in Watercress (Nasturtium Officinale) Plant Extracts

Abstract

Abstract Nasturtium officinale is a wild edible species of Nasturtium genus that has a great concern of medicinal plant specialist. Traditionally, it was offering rural and local people food security and medicines. Nowadays, these plants become more attractive and interested due to their polyphenol level and antioxidant activities. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate some phytochemicals of aerial portion of this plant including (reducing sugar, carbohydrates, flavonoids, saponin, glycosides, steroids and phenolic compounds) and the effect of altitudes on the total content of phenolic compound and flavonoids.The results showed that N. Officinale in all three villages were enriched with steroids, reducing sugar, phenolic compound, glycosides and flavonoids. However, the study was recorded the absence of existing saponin in the three places. Furthermore, the study result highlighted that the high content of phenolic compound (gallic acid= 0.60mg 100g−1) and flavonoids (qurcen=5.39mg 100g−1) were achieved from the high altitude compared to the low altitudes phenolic compound (gallic acid= 0.39 mg 100g−1) and flavonoids compound (qurcen= 2.93 mg 100g1). Thus, the evidence of this study shown that watercress can enhance natural medicines for human being.