Abstract

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF NUTRITIONAL POTENTIAL AND FTIR PROFILING OF WILD AND CULTIVATED VARIETIES OF COCCINIA GRANDIS (L.) VOIGT

Remya Krishnan*, Gouri Krishna S. B., Kiran M., Lekshmi Anilkumar, Midhun M., Feba K. U. and Hafis Rahman N.

ABSTRACT

The availability of indigenous vegetables has declined drastically dueto the excessive cultivation of field crops, leading to a growingignorance among young people about these nutritionally rich foodplants. Wild edible plants have historically played a vital role insupplementing diets in developing countries. With rapid populationgrowth, scarcity of fertile land for cultivation, and high prices ofavailable staples, poor people often collect wild edible plants fromnatural habitats to meet their nutritional needs. This study aims toinvestigate the nutritional composition of Coccinia grandis, includingboth wild and cultivated varieties, and employs Fourier TransformInfrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) to distinguish their chemicalcompositions. Nutritional analysis reveals differences in moisture,protein, carbohydrate, and phenol content between the varieties. FTIRanalysis identifies common functional groups but also uniquecompounds in the cultivar. The cultivar, with its likely lower phenolcontent and potentially sweeter taste, may be more palatable andpreferred for consumption. However, the edibility of the wild variety depends on factorsbeyond taste alone, such as the presence of potential toxins or harmful compounds in thefruit. Further evaluation of its safety for consumption is necessary. Overall, these findingscontribute to understanding this species' diversity and may inform future research aimed atharnessing its botanical, nutritional, and pharmacological potential.

Keywords: Coccinia grandis, Cucurbitaceae, nutrition, carbohydrate, ash, protein, phenol, FTIR, morphology, anatomy, wild.