Compositional studies and antioxidant potential of Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. pods and seeds

Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. is an important medicinal tree found in Pakistan. The present study evaluates the composition and antioxidant potential of various parts of the A. lebbeck plant. Compositional studies indicated carbohydrates as major components while saponin was found as a major antinutrient in both pods and seeds. Potassium was found in the highest amount and copper in the lowest. The amino acid profile indicated that arginine and lysine are present in excessive amounts in seeds while glutamic acid and aspartic acid are present in the highest concentrations in pods. While the linoleic acid was detected as the major fatty acid in pod and seed oil, a-tocopherol was determined as the major tocopherol component in oil. In vitro antioxidant assays such as ferric reducing antioxidant power, total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter, and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity showed that the examined extracts have potent antioxidant potential.