Determination of 1-Deoxynojirimycin Content and Phytochemical Profiles from Young and Mature Mulberry Leaves of Morus Spp.

Mulberry leaves have been known to be rich in 1-Deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) which inhibits postprandial hyperglycemia by inhibiting α-glucosidase in the small intestine and thereby reducing the breakdown of starch and other complex sugar into glucose. Mulberry leaf extract also contains many other bioactive compounds and phytochemicals. They are very effective in supporting blood sugar levels and balancing cholesterol and triglycerides. The DNJ content in mulberry leaves depends on the leaf’s variety and age. In this study, the phytochemical profile and DNJ content of young leaves and mature mulberry leaves in Indonesia were determined to further promote mulberry use using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Pyrolisis Gass Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The phytochemicals test result for the four leaf samples showed that all four samples contain alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, tannins and terpenes. The mature leaves of M. cathayana contain the highest DNJ concentration (2.90 mg DNJ/g leaves) out of eight samples. DNJ has the potential to be used as a functional food for diabetic patients. Analysis using HPLC and Py-GC-MS confirmed that mulberry species contain many beneficial phytochemicals. This study presented that Indonesian mulberry leaves extracts to have high phytochemical compositions which very potential utilized in the medicinal field.