Nutritional evaluation and DPPH assay of Pakistani variety of Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

The nutritional evaluation and free radical scavenging activities of Foeniculum vulgare were investigated in this study. Proximate analysis and minerals contents were evaluated according to AOAC methods while the scavenging activities of water and ethanol extract of F. vulgare towards 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) radical were established in vitro systems. The chemical analysis of F. vulgare showed that the moisture, fat, dietary fiber and crude protein as 8.05, 0.18, 2.97 and 1.21 g/100g while the concentration of Na, K and Ca were 50, 408 and 45 mg/100g. The results of DPPH assay showed that both extracts exhibited radical-scavenging activities at different magnitudes of potency. The free radical scavenging activity (% inhibition) of F. vulgare´s H₂O and ethanol extracts at concentration 0.2-1.0 mg/ml were ranged from 20-60% and 25-70% respectively. The extracts of F. vulgare might be valuable antioxidant natural sources and seemed to be applicable in both medicine and food industry.