Diversity in phytochemical composition of omani fenugreek (Trigonella foenum - graecum L.) accessions

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) has enormous nutritional and medicinal values. Its herbaceous leaves and seeds are being used for human consumption since centuries. This study evaluated the diversity of certain phytochemicals (total phenolic contents, flavonoids, saponins and tannins,) in seeds of twenty Omani fenugreek accessions. The fenugreek plant material used in this study was obtained from the Germplasm Collection Centre, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF), Oman. The seeds were planted and morphologically evaluated using biodiversity international passport and then the seeds obtained from the first and second season harvests were used for their phytochemical analysis. Significant (P<0.05) variability was observed in the mean values for total phenolic contents (TPC), saponins, flavonoids and tannins, in seeds of various fenugreek accessions. The values in various accessions ranged for TPC from 107.88 to 216.47 mg GAE/100g; for saponins from 7.27 to 17.03g/100g; for flavonoids 8.46 to 32.81 mg CAE/100g and for tannins from 30.21to 74.54 mg CAE/100g, respectively. The results indicated that accession #49 had the highest TPC (216.47 mg GAE/100g), saponins (17.03g/100g) and flavonoids (32.81 mg CAE/100g), while the highest tannin content was recorded in accession #209 (74.54 mg CAE/100g). Accession #63 exhibited the maximum ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) value (0.259 mMoles/L) compared to all other accessions. Our findings showed that a broader diversity exists in the seeds of various fenugreek accessions with respect to their phytochemical composition and antioxidant activities. The selection of potential fenugreek accessions for future dissemination should therefore be based on their phytochemical composition and antioxidant potential properties to harvest the maximum health benefits.