Nutritional and phyto-therapeutic potential of Papaya leaf(CARICA PAPAYA L.) based herbal tea powder

Abstract

The study entitled “Nutritional and Phyto-therapeutic potential of Papaya leaf (Carica papaya L.) based herbal tea powder” was conducted with the objective to develop a herbal tea powder from papaya leaves and to explore the nutritional and phyto-therapeutic potential of the product. Papaya leaves of three different varieties namely red lady, surya and Washington were selected for the primary analysis. The leaves (matured, stage 4) were collected from College of Agriculture Vellayani, and the leaves were cleaned and dried in the tray dryer and powdered. Nutrients like moisture, protein, fiber, vitamin C, calcium, B –carotene, sodium and potassium were analyzed and red lady leaf was selected as the best for further studies as it showed higher concentration of vitamin C (30.12 mg/100g), sodium (59.00 mg/100g), potassium (950.00 mg/100g) and calcium (2000 mg/100g). Since the papaya leaf powder showed rich phytochemical contents and anticancer properties this tea is advisable for patients who are under going chemotherapy and cancer patients. Considering the nutritional properties of the papaya leaf tea it is also advisable that may be replaced the normal sulaimani and green tea in normal life.