Phytochemical Screening, DNA Fingerprinting, and Nutritional Value of Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng

In this study, Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng was subjected to phytochemical and genetic investigation, so that it could be properly identified. The results of phytochemical screening of the different plant organs (leaves, stems and roots) revealed the presence of steam volatile substances, sterols and/or triterpenes, flavonoids, carbohydrates and/or glycosides, catechol tannins in the three organs under investigation. A DNA sample of the plant was analyzed by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique using eleven oligonucleotide primers. The analysis of RAPD data achieves the use of B-19 and B-6 primers for selective discrimination of this plant. Also, the nutritional value, including the total carbohydrates, total soluble sugars, proteins, amino acids and vitamin content, of the leaves, stems and roots was determined. The roots recorded the highest values of total carbohydrates, total soluble sugars and proteins content (66.04, 23.33 and 17.58 g%, respectively), followed by the leaves (48.12, 4.74 and 16.45 g%, respectively) and the stems (44.62, 3.10 and 9.52 g%, respectively). The three organs under investigation contain essential amino acids in moderate amounts compared to the WHO daily recommended doses. They are rich in vitamins and can be used as a vitamins supplement.