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Analysis of triterpenoids, carotenoids, and phenylpropanoids in the flowers, leaves, roots, and stems of white bitter melon (Cucurbitaceae, Momordica charantia)


Do Manh Cuong
Ramaraj Sathasivam
Chang Ha Park
Hyeon Ji Yeo
Ye Eun Park
Jae Kwang Kim
Sang Un Park

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the contents of carotenoids, triterpenoids, and phenylpropanoids in different parts of white bitter melon.
Methods: We evaluated the accumulation of 2 triterpenoids, 10 carotenoids, and 11 phenylpropanoids in different parts of white bitter melon, including fruits at four different developmental stages using HPLC.
Results: Charantin, lutein, and rutin were the main triterpenoids, carotenoids, and phenylpropanoids, respectively. The accumulation of triterpenoids (momordicine and charantin), carotenoids (antheraxanthin, lutein, violaxanthin, α-carotene, and β-carotene), and phenylpropanoids (caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, epicatechin, gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, rutin, and trans-cinnamic acid) was high in
the leaves and/or flowers, which are exposed to direct sunlight, but low in the roots.
Conclusion: Most of the analyzed components were accumulated at high levels in the leaves and/or flowers. These results will help exploit the compounds in various parts of white bitter melon that are beneficial for human health.


Keywords: Momordica charantia, Bitter melon, Triterpenoid, Carotenoid, Phenylpropanoid


Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 1596-9827
print ISSN: 1596-5996