Pharmacognostical Analysis and Quantification of L-Dopa Content in Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC

Vinod Bisht, Ramesh Uniyal, Santosh Dhutraj, Partha Ganguly, Rahul Singh and Rajiva Rai

Background and Objective: Mucuna pruriens commonly known as velvet bean is well known for its L-Dopa content. The pods of the M. pruriens are prone to insect attacks, which reduces the yield of seeds. This study aimed to optimize the best time for pod harvesting to ensure higher L-Dopa content and improved seed quality. Materials and Methods: Seeds of M. pruriens were collected at different stages of pod growth and maturation viz. S₁: At initial stage of pod formation, S₂: At 15 days after pod formation, S₃: At 30 days after pod formation, S₄: At 45 days after pod formation and S₅: Mature pod at 60 days. These seeds were analyzed for total ash, acid insoluble ash, alcohol soluble extractive, water soluble extractive, fixed oil content and L-Dopa content. Results: The study revealed that total ash content was lowest in S₁ followed by S₃. The acid insoluble ash content was found a minimum of 0.13% in S₃ and a maximum of 0.44% in S₅. The alcohol soluble extractive and water-soluble extractive were found highest in S₃ with the value of 6.47 and 24.99%, respectively. Fixed oil analysis also shows the presence of the highest percent of fixed oil in S₄ (3.84%) followed by S₃ with 3.79%. The HPLC analysis of L-Dopa in seed samples of M. pruriens revealed the presence of the highest content of 6.08% in S₅ followed by 6.01% in S₃. Conclusion: Overall results revealed that S₃ is the best time for pod harvesting in M. pruriens.

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