**2. Phytochemical analysis of genus** *Abelmoschus*

During regular metabolic activities of plant some chemical compounds are formed known as phytochemicals. These chemicals are produced by plants for their defense mechanism, but many research studies reveals the numerous phytochemicals can be used against many diseases of humans. Phytochemicals are often referred as "secondary metabolites" which includes alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, terpenoids, gums and polysaccharides [12]. Adetuyi et al. analyzed Vitamin C, total phenolic content, iron chelating activity and reducing power of six varieties of okra cultivated in Nigeria and proved that during storage period from 0 to 10 days, the loss of antioxidants percentage were lowest in "Benin" okra variety [13]. A variety of phytochemicals and antioxidants have been isolated from different *Abelmoschus* species. The list of phytochemicals isolated from *Abelmoschus* species are depicted in **Table 1**. *A. moschatus* solvent extract contains higher level of polyphenols and flavonoids which are responsible for antioxidant and other cumulative activities, so it can be used as food and medicine mainly to improve insulin sensitivity [19]. The four quercetin derivatives and epigallocatechin were first time reported in okra [14]. *A. esculentus* fruit is rich in phenolics and flavonoids may be serve as good source of natural antioxidants [15, 16]. Along with cultivated some wild species also rich in antioxidants [20].

#### **2.1 Phytochemical analysis of** *Abelmoschus* **seeds**

*Abelmoschus* seeds are the potential source of various nutrients as well as having immense biological properties; therefore some researchers focused their attention towards the examination of chemical composition and their use in the area of nutrition and medicines. Rao reported amino acids, fats, heat labile proteins, dietary fibers from seeds and kernels of okra variety "Pusa Swani" [21]. Sami et al. carried-out studies on analysis of fatty acids and amino acid from the fruit of A*. esculentus* collected from four localities by GC-MS and amino acid analyzer [22]. Camiciuc et al. carried out the GC-MS and NMR spectroscopic analysis of essential oil obtained from okra and ambrette seeds and subsequently reported the 40 and 35 bio-active compounds respectively [23, 24]. *A. moschatus* species is known for its aromatic compound and it has been used in Chinese traditional medicine to cure depression and anxiety. The effect of decoction has


#### *Phytochemical and Nutritional Studies in the Genus* Abelmoschus *Medik DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.93019*

#### **Table 1.**

*Phytoconstituents from* Abelmoschus *taxa.*

been reported to exhibit hypotensive properties [25]. The volatile compounds identified from *A. moschatus* seeds having an odor similar to the musk therefore used in perfume and cosmetics formulations [26]. In addition, the cultivated as well as wild species of *Abelmoschus* were also used to study seed oil and fatty acid content using GC-MS and structural analysis using TD-NMR [27]. Thirty five compounds were identified using GC-MS along with their antibacterial properties were reported from ambrette seed oil [28].
