M.A.S.P.K. Mudugamuwa¹, R.M. Dharmadasa^2,, D.C. Abeysinghe¹

The present study was undertaken to determine the functional properties and physicochemical composition of different leaf positions (Leaf bud, first leaf, second leaf, third leaf and fourth leaf) of soft (Wela) and firm (Waraka) flesh trees of jackfruit. Physicochemical composition, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC.) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were determined using the official AOAC method, Folin-Ciocalteu method, colourimetric method and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay respectively. Among the leaf bud and leaf blades, significantly highest TPC, TFC, and TAC. were observed in the second leaf blade of the soft flesh type, whereas the significantly highest TPC, TFC. and TAC. were recorded in the first leaf blade of the firm flesh type. Among the leaf petioles, significantly highest TPC, TFC. and TAC were observed in the fourth petiole of the soft flesh type, whereas, in the firm flesh type, the second petiole had significantly highest TPC, TFC. and TAC. However, the soft flesh type had more bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity compared to the firm flesh type. Higher crude protein content was observed in leaf buds, whereas higher moisture and ash content were observed in leaf petioles in both types. According to the results, it could be concluded that all the tested leaf positions of both A. heterophyllous types contained significant amounts of TPC, TFC, and TAC, which can be effectively used for traditional or folk systems of medicine and pharmaceutical industries.

Artocarpus heterophyllus, Firm and soft flesh, Functional properties, Leaf positions, Physicochemical composition