Phytochemical, Heavy Metal Analysis and HPLC Profiling of Jobelyn® – An Herbal Dietary Supplement
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Abstract
Jobelyn®, an herbal dietary supplement derived from Sorghum bicolor sheath, is known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-anaemic, and antioxidant properties due to its bioactive constituents. The therapeutic potential of Jobelyn® has aroused scientific interest. However, data on its proximate, phytochemical, and heavy metal profiles remain scarce. Such data are essential for the critical evaluation of its safety, efficacy, and potential health benefits. This research aims to perform a systematic evaluation of Jobelyn® through proximate assessment, phytochemical constituents, metal composition, and bioactive compounds. Standard procedures were used for qualitative and quantitative phytochemical evaluation, whereas metal analysis was performed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy, and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography was used for chemical profiling. Major phytochemicals found in Jobelyn® include Saponins (48.81 mg/100g), Tannins (45.34 mg/100g), Terpenes (40.58 mg/100g), and Phenols (32.33 mg/100g). Proximate analysis showed that Jobelyn® is rich in carbohydrates (81.3%), crude protein (4.7%), and fatty acids/oil (3.0%). The light and heavy metal evaluation revealed beneficial metals like Sodium (23.30 ppm), Potassium (9.14 ppm), and Iron (1.07 ppm), besides non-essential metals such as Lead (0.05 ppm), Arsenic (0.02 ppm), and Mercury (0.001 ppm). All of which are within the WHO permissible limit. Bioactive compounds like Quercetin (16.95 µg/mg), Formononetin (3.23 µg/mg), Luteolin (2.83 µg/mg), Caffeine (0.31 µg/mg), and Gallic acid (0.13 µg/mg) were identified and quantified by HPLC profiling. The novelty of this research lies in its comprehensive profiling of Jobelyn® as a polyphenol-rich supplement, with formononetin observed for the first time, giving a basis for its scientific repurposing and potential clinical application.
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