PHYTOSTEROL CONTENT IN BENGKOANG (Pachyrhizus erosus)
Abstract: Bengkoang has long
been used by ancestors as a raw material for cosmetics. In Indonesia, it is
usually eaten raw, sometimes with salt, lemon juice and powdered chili.
However, scientific evidences that support the use of bengkoang have not been
widely published. Phytosterols from the bengkoang root have been isolated and
identified based on their NMR spectrum data and mass spectrum. The result of
the structure elucidation informed that ß-sitosterol and stigmasterol are major
components of phytosterol in bengkoang root. Phytosterol content was about
0.02% of dry weight bengkoang or 2.76 % in petroleum ether extract of
bengkoang, with a ratio of ß-sitosterol and stigmasterol (65:35). Therefore,
bengkoang can be further exploited as a raw material of phytosterol supplement.
Penulis: Endang Lukitaningsih
Kode Jurnal: jpfarmasidd120253
