TITLE:
Corchorus olitorius: A Promising Medicinal Plant in Southern Africa and Effects of Growing Conditions on Its Bioactive Compounds—A Review
AUTHORS:
Senewa Bobby Pholoma, Gulelat Haki, Goitseone Malambane, Seoleseng Tshwenyane, Joseph Adjetey
KEYWORDS:
Jew’s Mallow, Nitrogen, Antioxidants, Drought, Minerals
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.12 No.6,
June
26,
2024
ABSTRACT: Corchorus olitorius (Jew’s mallow), is one of the African indigenous leafy vegetables increasingly getting attention as a possible contributor of both micronutrients and bioactive compounds including proteins, lipids, fiber and vitamin C to human nutrition. Leaves of Corchorus olitorius have been found to have high level of phytochemicals: flavonoids, polyphenols, tannins, and saponins that possess strong radical scavenging activity and antioxidant power. In the arid and semi-arid areas of the world, drought is the main limiting factor affecting plant productivity and influences almost all aspects of plant biology. Water stress deficit is known to cause oxidative stress condition that has generally been reported to elevate phenolic antioxidants in various crops including Jew’s mallow. On the other hand, fertilization is crucial for crop management and high yield, it also affects nutritional value of the food plants. Nitrogen (N) fertilization affects health and nutritional value, including mineral content, fatty acid profile, anti-oxidative capacity and polyphenol levels and composition. The possible effects of fertilization should be considered when deciding on fertilization regime, to optimize both plant physiology, productivity and food-related effects. Nitrogen is an important element for Jew’s mallow production since it responds well to it. However, appropriate amounts of nutrients need to be provided to crops at the right time to favor both crop growth, yield and quality. Different reports confirmed that addition or increase of N, negatively affects the total phenolics and total flavonoids, and reduces accumulation of defense-related secondary metabolites resulting in lower oxidative capacity. Increased secondary metabolite production during water deficit and low nitrogen in the soil has been reported as a stress mechanism by most plants. However, further research is required to explore the biochemical response of Jew’s mallow to water deficit and nitrogen fertilization.