VOLUME 62 : 2014

Ficus odorata (Blanco) Merr., is an indigenous ethnomedicinal plant widely cultivated in Luzon and commonly used by the Aetas of Bataan for treating several ailments. There are no known reports as to its nutritional composition hence, this study. Thus, the study aimed to unravel the nutritional contents of F. odorata and relate it to the possible application on various medications for certain diseases and as a candidate for being a prebiotic agent. Results show that the plant contains high carbohydrates (45.7%) and dietary fibers (36.1%) with sufficient amount of proteins (15.2%) and less total fat (4.7%) content. Lastly, micronutrient analysis revealed that the plant is rich in calcium (3.35%) followed by potassium (1.38%) and with trace amounts of sodium and zinc. Ficus odorata is a fiber-rich food ingredient that can provide a wide range of health benefits. Moreover, it can be used as a prebiotic agent that can ably support the growth of probiotics. Therefore, F. odorata leaf powder may be a potential functional food component as prebiotics for probiotics.

Keywords: Ficus odorata, endemic, nutrition, prebiotics, dietary fibers