Some of the food plants are believed to be an important source of nutrition as well as chemical substances having potential of therapeutic effects. These plants are effective source of both traditional and modern medicines and are genuinely useful for primary healthcare. Plants have been rich source of medicine because they produce wide range array of bioactive molecule [1]. Since long, the ayurvedic period, the herbal drugs were the sole source of medication for majority of population pertaining to the holistic approaches consisting of easier method of uses and better results. Despite vast continuous developments in the drug therapy, herbal sources are still of great importance and nearly 60% of the world’s population continuously using such drugs. These are not only used for primary healthcare in rural areas in developing countries, but also in developed countries as well where modern medicines are predominantly available. The use of plants as a source of medicine has been inherited and is an important component of the health care system in India and abroad even in the present era. The ayurvedic treatments of several ailments have focused on the need of investigating newer but potent and safer herbal medicines for use various afflictions of the public in general [2].

In the last few years there has been an exponential growth in the field of herbal medicine and these drugs are gaining popularity both in developing and developed countries because of their origin and less side effects. Banerji and Mitra [3] studied that mahua (Madhuca longifolia) belonging to the family Sapotaceae, is one of those multipurpose forest tree species that provide an answer for the three major F’s i.e., food, fodder and fuel. It is widely distributed in the South Asian countries. This tree known under the name of Mahua, produces edible flowers and fruits with high medicinal value. It is highly regarded as a universal panacea in the ayurvedic medicine and large evergreen tree distributed in India, Sri Lanka and Nepal [4]. Madhuca commonly known as mahua or butternut tree, 17 m high with a large top [5].

Botanical profile of mahua (Madhuca longifolia) [4].

Botanical Name:    Madhuca longifolia

Family:    Sapotaceae

Subfamily:    Caesalpinioideae

Tribes:    Caesalpinieae

Genus:    Madhuca

Species:    longifolia

Order:    Ericaleae

A deciduous tree, 10-15 m tall and with a spreading, dense, round, shady canopy. Bark: Is rough, brown in color, slightly cracked and fissured, inner bark red, exudes white, milky sap when cut. Leaves: elliptic, 15-25 cm × 8-15 cm, tip pointed, base angled, texture thick, hairy beneath, nerves strong, about 12 pairs, tertiary nerves oblique, and margin entire but may be wavy. Stalk 2-4 cm, reddish. Flowers: In bunches at the end of the branches, white, 2 cm long, pointed, sweat scented, fleshy. Fruits: ovoid, fleshy, 2-4 cm across, greenish, 1-4 seeded. Seeds: elongate, 2 cm long, brown, shining [2].

Synonyms of mahua

English:    South Indian Mahua

Hindi:    Mahva, Mohva

Kannada:    Erappe

Telegu:    Ippa

Tamil:    Iluppai

Sanskrit:    Madhukah

Malayam:     Irippa [6]

Phytochemistry has undergone significant development in recent years as a distinct discipline. It is concerned with enormous variety of compounds that are synthesized and accumulated by plants and also deals with the structural characterization of these molecules [8,9].

Flower

Vitamins A and C.

Fruits

α- and β-amyrin acetates.

Seeds

Arachidic, linolelic, oleic, myrisic, palmitic and stearic acids, α-alanine, aspartic acid, cystine, glycine, isoleucine and leucine, lysine, methionine, proline, serine, threonine, myricetin, quercetin, Misaponin A and B.

Phytochemical constituents are responsible for definite physiological action of the human body [10]. Phytochemicals are basically divided into two groups, i.e., primary and secondary constituents; according to their functions in plant metabolism [11]. Primary constituents comprise common sugars, amino acid, proteins and chlorophyll while secondary constituents consists of alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins and so on.

The phytochemical screening of plants gives the general idea about the class of compounds present in those plants [12]. In recent years, many plants are screened and newer bioactive compounds being isolated every day. Though the utility of plants basically depends on therapeutically effective active principles and therefore chemical tests are essential to identify the various constituents or groups present in the plants. These tests are either general or specific. The utility of medicinal plants has been organized by almost all societies of the earth and hence the plants are screened for phytochemicals [13,14].

Preliminary phytochemical studies were performed for methanolic extract of Madhuca longifolia. The results longifoliate the presence of alkaloids, tannins, proteins and carbohydrates (Table 1).

Table 1: Preliminary phytochemical screening of Madhuca longifolia [16].

Use of Mahuain Traditional Medicine

Flower

Flowers are used as tonic, analgesic and diuretic. Flowers have been traditionally used as cooling agent, tonic, aphrodisiac, and astringent, demulcent and for the treatment of helminths, acute and chronic tonsillitis, pharyngitis as well as bronchitis [15]. Also used as anthelmintic, demulcent, laxative, stimulant and tonic, fomentation with dried ones produces relief in orchids’, decoction used as expectorant; beneficial in impotence due to general debility when administered with milk.

Fruits

Fruits are astringent and used in chronic tonsillitis and pharyngitis [16].

Seed

Fat obtained from mahua seeds has many medicinal applications. The seeds fat has emuluscent property, used in skin disease, rheumatism, headache, laxative, piles and sometimes as galactogogue. Also used as laxative in habitual constipation and piles, gummy juice applied in rheumatism and skin affection, oil used in skin disease.

Ethnomedical Uses of Different Parts of Mahua

Flower

In Indian system of medicine (The Ayurveda), the flowers of Mahua are reported to be cooling, aphrodisiac, galactagogue and carminative. They are also reported to be beneficial in heart diseases, burning sensation and ear complaints. The flowers fried in ghee (clarified butter) are eaten by people suffering from piles. Mahua flowers are also well known for their high reducing sugar and nutrient content. They are edible and used as a sweetener in preparation of many local dishes like halwa, kheer, puri and burfi in the Mahua production belt of India [17]. Mahua flowers have great potential as an alternative source of food in many parts of the world. However, the nutrient content of the flower deteriorates during postharvest storage, and hence, the true value of this natural product is not fully utilized. Das et al. [18] were quantified the reducing and non-reducing sugars, amino acids, proteins, lipids, ascorbic acid and ash contents every month for 1 year. LPS (laboratory processed samples) showed no change in biochemical constituents throughout the year and NPS (normally practiced samples) were distinct for deterioration of the tested components (Table 2).

Table 2: Nutritional properties of Madhuca longifolia flower [19].

In skin diseases, the juice of flowers is rubbed for oleation. It is also beneficial as a nasya (nasal drops) in diseases of the head due to pitta, like sinusitis. The decoction of the flowers is a valuable remedy for pitta diseases. As a general tonic, the powder of flowers works well with ghee and honey. The decoction of flowers quenches the thirst effectively. Because of its astringent property Mahua used in diarrhoea and colitis. In raktapitta, the fresh juice of flowers is used with great benefit to arrest the bleeding. The flowers play an important role in augmention the breast milk in lactating mothers and in boosting the quantity of seminal fluids also [7].

Physico-chemical and organoleptic properties of Mahua flower

Physico-chemical values such as the percentage of total ash, water soluble ash, and loss on drying, water soluble extractive and alcohol soluble extractive values were calculated as per the Indian Pharmacopoeia (Table 3) [19,20].

Table 3: Physicochemical parameters of flowers of Madhuca longifolia.

Organoleptic study of Madhuca longifolia flowers were performed on color, Odour, taste, surface and corolla (Table 4) [21].

Table 4: Organoleptic properties of mahua flower.

Phytochemical screening of mahua flowers

Ethanolic and methanolic extract of Madhuca longifolia flowers were subjected to preliminary phytochemical study following the methodology of Kokate, Purohit and Gokhale [22]. In Table 5, ethanolic extract of Madhuca longifolia showed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, proteins, carbohydrates. Methanolic extract showed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, carbohydrates. Some of these phytoconstituents may be responsible for a potent anthelmintic activity.

Table 5: Qualitative phytochemical analysis of the extracts of Madhuca longifolia (Gmel) flowers [23].

Verma et al. [9], also reported the presence of phytochemical compounds in flower of Madhuca longifolia. Aqueous, ether, acetone and methanolic extracts of fresh flowers of Madhuca longifolia were investigated for eight principle bioactive compounds. Table 6 shows that out of all, carbohydrates, proteins, flavonoids and tannins were found to be positive in all four extracts while alkaloids were positive in aqueous and ether extract, saponins were positive only in methanolic extract. Sterol is positive in ether, acetone and methanol extract whereas lipid was found to be positive in aqueous, ether and methanolic extracts.

Health benefits of mahua flower

Table 6: Results of phytochemical analysis of Madhua longifolia flowers.

Anthelmintic activity: Katiyar et al. [23] were investigated ethanol and methanol extract of the flowers of Madhuca longifolia J. F. Gmel (Sapotaceae) for its possible anthelmintic activity in Pheretimaposthuma (Indian Earth Worm). In Table 7 both extracts shows significant anthelmintic activity but methanolic extract demonstrated the best anthelmintic activity in both the parameters. Mebendazole was included in the assay as standard reference drug.

Table 7: Anthelmintic activity of ethanolic and methanolic extracts of Madhuca longifolia Gmel flowers.

Antibacterial activity: Verma et al. [9] reported the antibacterial activity of flower of Madhuca longifolia against Bacillus subtilis and Klebsiella pneumonia. Aqueous and methanolic extract of flowers were used for analysis. Aqueous extract showed more activity than methanolic extract for both bacteria (Table 8).

Table 8: Antibacterial activity of flowers.

The flower has an antibacterial activity against the Escherichia coli and resist against rice pest disease [18].

Analgesic activity: The both aqueous and alcoholic extract of flowers of Madhuca longifolia posse’s analgesic effect. The analgesic effect were screened through tail flick, hot plate and chemical graded doses of both aqueous and alcoholic extract of Madhuca longifolia (4.0 to 64.0 mg/kg, i.m. for 3 days) produced dose dependent analgesic effect in all the three nociceptive methods carried out either on rats or mice [15].

Hepatoprotective activity: The methanolic extract of flowers of Madhuca longifolia shows the hepatoprotective activity against paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity. Two doses of methanolic extract of Madhuca longifolia (100 and 200 mg/kg) were administered orally to the animals with hepatotoxicity induced by paracetamol (2 g/ kg). The methanolic extract showed significant protective effect by lowering serum levels of various biochemical parameters such as serum glutamic oxaloacetictransaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin, and by increasing serum levels of total protein and albumin in the selected model [24].

Used in preparation of drug: Weerasooriya and Yatawara [25], reported that enzyme Invertase (β-D-fructofuranosidase, EC 3.2.1.26), present in the flowers of Madhuca longifolia plays an important role during the preparation of fermented Ayurvedic drugs known as ‘Arishta’. This enzyme was partially purified with a yield of 11.6%, using (NH₄)₂SO₄ fractionation, followed by gel filtration through Sepharose 4B and DEAE cellulose chromatography at pH 6.5 and 4.2.

Fruit

The fruits of Madhuca longifolia was reported to contain a number of triterpenoids including α- and β-amyrin acetates, 3β-monocaprylic ester of erythrodiol, 3β-capryloxyoleanolic acid and an acetate The other constituents isolated and characterized are n-hexacosanol, β-glucoside of β-sitosterol and free β-sitosterol. The nut-shell contains β-glucoside of β-sitosterol, quercetin and hydroquercetin [26].

Phytochemical compounds

Verma et al. [9] reported the presence of phytochemical compounds in fruits of Madhuca longifolia. Aqueous, ether, acetone and methanolic extracts of fresh fruits of Madhuca longifolia were investigated for eight principle bioactive compounds. Table 9 shows that out of all, proteins were found positive while alkaloids and resins were found negative in all four extracts. Carbohydrate was found positive in aqueous, acetone and methanolic while saponins and sterol were positive only in methanolic extract.

Table 9: Results of phytochemical analysis of Madhuca longifolia fruits.

Health benefits of mahua fruit

Antibacterial activity: Antibacterial activity of fruits of Madhuca longifolia tested against Bacillus subtilis and Klebsiella pneumonia in aqueous and methanolic extract. It was found that aqueous extract of fruit showed more activity than methanolic extract for both bacteria [9].

Seed

Heath benefits of Mahuaseed

Anti-inflammatory activity: Ramchandra et al. [27] evaluated the ethanol extract and saponin mixture of seeds of Madhuca longifolia for anti-inflammatory activity using acute (carrageenan-induced inflammation), sub-acute (formaldehyde-induced inflammation), and chronic (cotton pellet granuloma) models of inflammation in rats. The ethanol extract and saponin mixture at a dose level of 10 and 15 mg/ kg and 1.5 and 3 mg/kg significantly reduced the edema induced by carrageenan in acute model of inflammation, inhibiting both phases of inflammation. Both the extracts had a more effective response than the reference drug diclofenac sodium in the sub-acute inflammation model. Results longifoliated a significant anti-inflammatory activity by Madhuca longifolia saponins in cotton pellet granuloma.

Antihyperglycemicactivity: The ethanolic extract of seeds of Madhuca longifoliawas effective in reducing the plasma glucose level in normal albino rats in a dose dependent manner, producing hypoglycemic effect by stimulating the release of insulin from the β-cells and or increasing the uptake of glucose from the plasma [16].

Antiulcer activity: The crude alkaloid extract and ethanolic extract of seeds of Madhuca longifolia were evaluated for anti-ulcer activity. The result shows that ethanolic extract was significantly effective in protecting pylorus ligation-induced gastric ulcers. The ethanolic extract at a dose level of 10 mg/kg showed a significant decrease in the ulcer index compared to vehicle, and was near to that of lansoprazole used at a dose level of 40 mg/kg, while crude alkaloid extract exhibited no significant gastroprotective effect [16].

Anticancer activity: Bhaumik et al. [28] studied the in-vitro anticancer activity of different extract of fruit seed of Madhuca longifolia against human cancer cell line (HeLa) and used MTT assay to analyze the cell growth inhibition. Results of Tables 10-14 showed that the various extracts of fruit-seeds of Madhuca longifolia have a very good to moderate anticancer activity.

Table 10: Antibacterial activity of fruits.

Table 11: For percentage (%) of cell growth inhibition of methanolic extract (E1) of fruit-seeds of Madhuca longifolia on He La cells by MTT assay.

Table 12: For percentage (%) of cell growth inhibition of ethanolic extract (E2) of fruit-seeds of Madhuca longifolia on He La cells by MTT assay.

Table 13: For percentage (%) of cell growth inhibition of acetone extract (E3) of fruit-seeds of Madhuca longifolia on He La cells by MTT assay.

Table 14: For percentage (%) of cell growth inhibition of chloroform extract (E4) of fruit-seeds of Madhuca longifolia on He La cells by MTT assay.

Raw consumption of Mahua

In spite of being a rich source of nutrition and easy availability in the rural areas these flowers are not very popular as food. Only a small quantity of flowers is consumed raw, cooked or fried in different parts of India [29].

Utilization of mahua for processing of different food products

Sugar syrup: Abhyankar and Narayana [30], reports on preparation of sugar syrup from dry mahua flowers, which can be further use as a sweeting agent in different food products.

Jam, Jelly, marmalade, pickle: Reuther, Webber and Batcher [31], reported that mature (full grown) but still unripe fruits are made into jam with addition of citric acid. The pulp is also converted into marmalade or syrup, which is used as food material. Jelly is also made from the pulp alone or combined with guava to modify the astringent flavour. The pulp is also pickled. Major quantity of flowers is used in the preparation of distilled liquors [29]. In 2008, Patel prepared the mahua jam and jelly by using fresh flowers [32]. The developed products were tested for their colour, flavour, taste, texture and overall acceptability, using hedonic test. According to the findings of hedonic test all the developed Mahua products were found to be highly acceptable.

Bakery and confectionary: Candy, biscuits and cake were prepared using the mahua concentrate as a liquid sweetener.

Puree and sauce: In 2008, Patel used fresh flowers and crushed it into puree (after manually removing the stamens) and processed it into sauce [32].

Fermented products: Dried Mahua flowers are an attractive source of fermented products due to the high sugar content. Preparation of mahua wine from fresh flowers has also been reported [33]. Malavade and Jadhav [34] mentioned that various products like alcohol, brandy, acetone, ethanol, lactic acid and other fermented product have been prepared from the dry mahua flowers.

In our experimental study we selected fresh Mahua flowers for value addition. The samples were procured from the local area of Gyanpur, Bhadohi. First dried the mahua flower and grind it into coarse powder then prepared laddu from it. We prepared mahua biscuit and cup-cake also by using mahua flower syrup as a sweeting agent. Mahua bar was also prepared by using mahua flower pulp. All the developed products were tested for their colour, flavour, taste, texture and overall acceptability, using hedonic test. According to the findings of hedonic test all the developed Mahua products were found to be highly acceptable.

On the basis of review of literature and experimental findings, a flow chart of using mahua flowers in different types of food products has been prepared and shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Uses of mahua flowers in different types of food products.

Recently, bacterial synthesis of poly (hydroxybutyrate-cohydroxyvalerate) using Mahua flowers has been reported [35]. In 1930, Fowler and Gilbert prepared organic manure by adding Mahua flowers to the waste organic matter [36]. Study of Saha and Singh [37] reports the development of a new anti-bacterial mahua flower agar medium. Use of spent flowers (produced after fermentation and distillation) as cattle feed gave on whole favourable results as far as the health and milk production are concerned [38].

Conclusion

On the basis of review of literature it concluded that mahua (Madhuca longifolia) is a highly nutritious tree with lots of ethnomedical properties like antibacterial, anticancer, hepatoprotective, antihyperglycemic, analgesic activities etc. No. of research performed on flower, fruit and seed of mahua to highlight its medicinal properties, but only few experimental research performed for utilizing it as a food or food ingredient. Review shows that only mahua flower commercially used widely in manufacturing of liquor rather than preparation of food or medicine. Yet due to lack of appropriate knowledge and processing practices this highly nutritious and useful tree considered as underutilized. So now the time of diversion for commercial utilization of mahua flowers in different types of food products and fruit, seed will also be used in preparation of medicines. This effort may increase the employment and income generation potential of the nation.