A Study on the Identification and Comparison of Functional Components in Different Species of Passion Fruit Vine Leaves

Functional components are found abundantly in plants which are non-nutritive and bio active compounds that prevents the onset of degenerative diseases and protects the body by maintaining the health. The objective of this study is to identify the chemical components of different varieties of passion fruit leaves (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa,Passifloraedulisf. edulis and Passiflora quadrangularis) available wildly in the hills of Tamil Nadu, India. Young tender passion fruit leaves can be used as a raw leafy green as they contain vitamin A and niacin. The dried leaves are used for calming teas and herbal remedies. The functional components were identified using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy FTIR(ATR) spectrophotometer. The leaves contain polyphenols, triterpenes, carotenoids, polysaccharides, amino acids and flavonoids which have a lot of beneficial effect on human health especially in preventing degenerative diseases. This paves way to use these amazing abundant greens in clinical studies as ayurvedic preparations and treat illness naturally.


INTRODUCTION
Plants are an integral part of all the living organisms of earth because they provide food, clothing, shade and shelter. They also provide clean air and natural medicines to treat ailments. [1]. Many scriptures state that from the day life begins plants are used as medicines. Countries such as Egyptian, Assyrian, Chinese, and Indian, have long histories of using medicinal plants [2].
Plants are able to produce a large number of diverse bioactive compounds [3]. Plant kingdom mainly contains beneficial phytochemicals may complement the needs of the human body by acting as natural antioxidants [4]. Theseantioxidants compounds are secondary plant metabolites. Phenolic derivatives are the main phytochemicals present in the most of the species. Several clinical researches showed that antioxidant and their phytochemicals can prevent some chronic diseases [5,6].
Passion fruit leaves, grow on a fast-climbing vine that can spread 4-6 meters a year and are members of the Passifloraceae family. There are four hundred species within the Passifloraceae family. Nowadays the passion fruit plant which was mainly grown for its fruits is also growing in popularity as an additional crop. The leaves can be used as a culinary ingredient as well.Passion fruit vines are native from Brazil, but now it is cultivated in all parts of the world for the fruits and also as ornamental plants [7].
Traditionally P. edulis leaves are used in the treatment of insomnia and known to produce a restful sleep without any narcotic hangover. The leaves are reported to contain a bitter principle maracugine, resins, acids and tannin exceptionally rich in ascorbic acid. It is also used to treat epilepsy, ulcers and haemorrhoids [8]. The tea prepared by the infusion of these leaves has been recognized for its anti-inflammatory potential and also there was also an increase in colonic bacteria; therefore, it was associated with increase in SCFA production which promote different aspects of gut microbiome [9]. Studies proved that introduction of infusion of P. edulis leaves in tea could contribute to prevent damage by reactive species [10]. The presence of fructo-oligosaccharides in passion fruit byproducts shows a comparable stimulation of folate production was found by the selected bacterial strains [11].

METHODOLOGY
The aim of the study is to identify the functional compounds in three different species of passion fruit leaves using FTIR (ATR) technique. The passion fruit vines of three different species Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa, Passiflora edulisf.edulis and Passiflora quadrangularis were collected from Horticulture research Station in Thandiyankudisai, Perumbarai, Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu, India in February 2020 at the evening time. The collection place was about 50 km away from the residence. Soon after collection, the samples were washed thoroughly and then dried at roomtemperature30 degree Celsius and under shade for one week till completely driedas mentioned in Fig. 1. The examined moisture content was 10 percent.Then, the extract was prepared from the coarse powder with methanolic extraction method. The solid to solvent ratio is 1:10 and the extraction time was 24 hours. It was transferred to the separatory funnel and the extract was stored in sterile vials and taken to the central Instrumentation laboratory of the American college campus for FTIR (ATR) spectrophotometric analysis.

Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
The functional groups of Passiflora species were recorded using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy using JASCO spectrophotometer (FTIR 4600) ATR techniques. Infrared spectra were recorded between ranges 4000 and 450 cm -1 .Attenuated total reflection is developed in order to enhance the surface sensitivity since IR spectroscopy is a bulk method [12].

Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
The functional groups of Passiflora species were recorded using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy using JASCO spectrophotometer (FTIR 4600) ATR techniques. Infrared spectra were recorded between ranges 4000 and 450 cm -1 .Attenuated total reflection is developed in order to enhance the surface sensitivity since IR spectroscopy is a bulk method [12].

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
FTIR(ATR) analysis was done for the characterization of functional group present in the three different varieties of passion fruit vines namely Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa, Passiflora edulisf. edulis and Passiflora quadrangularis. The interpretation of IR spectra helps to determine the functional groups present within organic compounds. This can be determined by examining each spectrum for common IR stretches that are characteristics of organic functional groups. The current research reconfirms the presence of more than 110 phytochemical constituents identified from the different plant parts of P. edulis in which flavonoids and triterpenoids held the biggest share done by He et al., in 2020 [17]. corresponds to the C-F extending and the standard frequency is 1400-1000 cm -1" . Thus shows the possibility of flavonoids, phenols, alkaloids and amines as phytochemicals. Table 2 and Fig. 3 show the absorbance spectra recorded for Passiflora edulisf. Edulis. corresponds to the C-F extending and the standard frequency is 1400-1000 cm -1" . Thus shows the possibility of flavonoids, phenols, alkaloids and amines as phytochemicals. Table 3 and Fig. 4 show the absorbance spectra recorded for Passiflora quadrangularis. corresponds to the C-F extending and the standard frequency is 1400-1000 cm -1" . The peak frequency observed at 1068.37cm -1 corresponds to the S=O extending and the standard frequency is 1400-1000 cm -1" . The peak frequency observed at 777.17 cm -1 corresponds to the C-H bending and the standard frequency is 900-700 cm -1 . Thus shows the presence of the following probable phytochemicals: Alkaloids, carboxylic acids, flavonoids, ketones, tannins, poly phenols and sulforaphanes.
The above results support the previous studies which states that apart from being a food item, a variety of pharmaceutical products based on ingredients have also been developed and used in folk medicine. The principal components of P. edulis include polyphenols, triterpenes, carotenoids, polysaccharides, amino acids, essential oils, and microelements [13,14].
Also, certain biogenic amines (catecholamines) which are produced by the decarboxylation of amino acids or by the amination of aldehydes and ketones. Catecholamines include dopamine, serotonin, epinephrine, and norepinephrine and are reported to occur in many plants in considerable amounts [15].
The aqueous extract of P. edulis leaves showed a significant anti-inflammatory property on mice [16]. The general administration of P. edulis exhibited distinct anti-inflammatory actions which inhibits leukocyte influx to the pleural cavity and associated with marked blockade of myeloperoxidase, nitric oxide, TNFlevels in the acute model of inflammation caused by intra pleural injection of mice. In one experiment, P. edulis was very effective in defeating the TNF levels than dexamethasone [10].

CONCLUSIONS
The three varieties of passion fruit leaves confirm the presence of different functional components which is a boon to human health maintenance and prevention of certain diseases. Though certain diseases were treated in the hospital other minor ailments such as headaches, stomach upset, colds and fevers are treated by medicinal plants as a home remedy. Passion fruit leaves can be used in both raw and cooked applications such as boiling, sautéing, and frying. Passion fruit leaves can also be cooked into soups, curries, sauté veggies, pasta, and quiches. They are similar in texture and flavour to spinach and can often be substituted in recipes for the green. Tea is the second most popular beverage in the world in addition to cooking, Passion fruit leaves can be boiled and made into a calming tea. The researcher recommend that passion fruit vines can be cultivated at home as grow your own greens and get a lot of health benefits over culinary uses.

DISCLAIMER
The products used for this research are commonly and predominantly use products in our area of research and country. There is absolutely no conflict of interest between the authors and producers of the products because we do not intend to use these products as an avenue for any litigation but for the advancement of knowledge. Also, the research was not funded by the producing company rather it was funded by personal efforts of the authors.