Physico-chemical and Microbial Analysis of Morinda Citrifolia (Noni/ Indian Mulberry) Fruit Extract
Abstract
Indian Noni or Indian Mulberry is the common name for Morinda citrifolia, a
tropical fruit that is one of the most important traditional medicinal plants used in
folk remedies for its broad range of therapeutic and nutritional value. Noni fruit
remains an underutilized plant, and scientific studies about its therapeutic and
nutritional properties are essentially lacking in the Sri Lankan context. This
research mainly focuses on analysing the biochemical and microbial qualities of
noni fruit extract because the bioactive compounds present in noni fruit extract
and its medicinal power mainly depend on phytochemical constituents. The
qualitative phytochemical analysis in the present study has revealed the presence
of a broad spectrum of secondary metabolites including Glycosides, Saponins,
Flavonoids, Alkaloids, Terpenoids, Anthraquinones, Phenols, and Tannins. Results
of physicochemical analysis revealed that the pH of the sample is 4.14 ±0.1 and
brix acid ratio is 20.3% and the total dissolved solids are 84.03 %, indicating that
it has a high degree of simple sugar. The total plate count (CFU/g) of the sample is
8.4 x 103 (SLS 516: part 1 - at 30 ℃, 72h and the yeast and mold count of the
sample is (CFU/g) is 2.7 x 104 (SLS 516: part 2) at 25 ℃ - 5 days. Though
preliminary studies demonstrated potentially beneficial effects, further in vitro
and in vivo studies are essential for further development as a commercial product.
However, the present study could ultimately help in the sustainable use of
underutilized Morinda citrifolia fruit to produce a commercially available drink.