(P10-106-24) Potency of Gedi (Abelmoschus manihot (L.) Medik) Fresh Leaves as a Natural Galactagogue in Comparison to Common Natural Galactagogues in Indonesia

Objectives: Breast milk is the gold standard nutrition for a baby during the first six months of life. Low or no breast milk and perception of insufficient breast milk production are common reasons for mother to stop breastfeeding earlier. To help this problem, galactagogue consumption is highly recommended. Gedi (Abelmoschus manihot (L.) Medik) leaves are locally used in Indonesia as food and medicinal use. The aim of this study was to assess the macro- and micronutrient content of fresh gedi leaves in comparison to common natural galactagogues in Indonesia, fresh torbangun (Coleus amboinicus Lour.) and katuk (Sauropus androgynous (L). Merr) leaves.

Methods: Fresh leaves were washed with running water to remove soil and other impurities attached to the leaves and stored at 4^oC until further use. Water, ash, crude fiber, and fat content were determined gravimetrically. Protein content was determined titrimetrically. Carbohydrate content was determined based on by difference calculation. Energy level was determined based on calculation of fat, protein, and carbohydrate content. Vitamin A, C, and E were analyzed using HPLC. Vitamin B1, B2, B6, and B9 were analyzed using UPLC. Vitamin K was analyzed using LC-MS. Mineral calcium, iron, magnesium, sodium, zinc, phosphorus, and potassium were analyzed using ICP-OES.

Results: Fresh gedi leaves had the highest crude fiber (2.97%), ash (2.40%), vitamin K (235.03 µg/100 g), and calcium (369.20 mg/100 g) content and significantly different compared to fresh torbangun and katuk leaves (P < 0.05). Besides that, carbohydrate (9.61%), protein (4.36%), energy (60.38 kcal/100 g), vitamin A (40.59 µg/100 g), magnesium (70.21 mg/100 g), phosphorus (416.90 mg/kg), potassium (356.19 mg/100 g), and zinc (1.02 mg/100 g) content of fresh gedi leaves were between fresh torbangun and katuk leaves.

Conclusions: This study showed high level of crude fiber, vitamin K, mineral especially calcium, and sufficient level of carbohydrate, protein, and energy content of fresh gedi leaves, compared to fresh torbangun and katuk leaves as common galactagogues used in Indonesia.

Funding Sources: Indofood Riset Nugraha Program