African Bitter Leaf [Vernonia amygdalina Delile]: Study on Seasonal Variations in Total Phenols and Seed Germination in India

Abstract

Owing to reported medicinal value and seasonal variations in leaf bitterness, African bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalena Delile) was studied for total phenol contents, as an indicator for accumulation of secondary metabolites. The total phenol content in the leaves were found variable [range from 0.158a±0.01 to 0.675f±0.02] in different months. Organoleptic assessment was done to correlate the results to assess leaf bitterness during different months of the consucutive year. Besides, seed germination study was also undertaken to record data on the viability of seeds for conservation in NGB.