Nutritional and health care valuation of seed embryo Sterculia nobilis Smith

ObjectiveTo provide scientific basis for extention of a South China origin woody grain potential plant,Steculia nobilis Smith (SNS),its seed embryo,the edible part of the plant was investigated on the characteristics of nutrition and health care.MethodA comprehensive research was performed to determine nutritional compositions and antioxidant activities of polyphenols in seed embryo of two kinds of SNS (GXPN01 and GXDX01 ).Result The results indicated that the nutrient compositions of SNS seed embryo mainly consisted of starch and protein,and exhibited rich fat,starch,vitamin,polyphenol,amino acid and trace elements(Ca,Fe,Zn),and vitamin C and vitamin E contents were considerably higher than other vitamins.Additionally,SNS seed embryo contained considerable polyphenols (especially flavonoids),which possessed stronger antioxidant potential by evaluating reducing power,metal chelating capacity and radical-scavenging activity of 1,1-dipheny1-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH),and hydroxyl radical- and superoxide anion-scavenging activity. Conclusion Sterctlia nobilis Smith is strongly recommended woody food plant for its nutritional seed embryo with health care results including antioxidant activities.