Antidiabetic and Antioxidant Profile of Three Varieties of Passion Fruit

The present study was undertaken to assess the anti-diabetic potential and antioxidant profile of three different varieties of passion fruit that are locally available in Kerala. Even though studies have been done on the chemical composition of passion fruit, very few studies have been reported on the nutrient composition and glycemic response of its locally available varieties. The samples selected were purple passion fruit (Passiflora edulis), yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis var flavicarpa) and sweet passion fruit (Passiflora ligularis). The nutrients vitamin C, total carotene as well as total fiber content were analysed. Preliminary phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of tannins, alkaloids and flavonoids in all three samples. Sweet passion fruit had the highest content of total phenol followed by yellow and purple varieties respectively. The free radical scavenging activity of the selected varieties of passion fruit was measured using the stable radical DPPH assay. Alpha amylase inhibition assay was done to assess the anti-diabetic activity. Yellow passion fruit had the highest content of vitamin C (36.34mg/100g) and total carotene (91μg/100g) as well as total antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ of 149.623) whereas sweet passion fruit exhibited highest fiber content (11.5mg/100g) and total phenol content (31.4mg GAE/g). The highest anti-diabetic property was shown by the purple passion fruit (146). Thus the present study revealed that the selected varieties of passion fruit have good antioxidant profile and significant anti-diabetic potential.