Determination of total polyphenol, flavonoid, and polysaccharide contents in fish mint (Houttuynia cordata Thunb.)

This study aimed to determine the total polyphenol, flavonoid, and total polysaccharide contents in Houttuynia cordata. Raw fish mint (Houttuynia cordata) was dried at 45°C to a moisture content below 10%, ground into powder. Total polyphenol content was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu method, total flavonoid content was measured by the aluminum chloride colorimetric assay, and total polysaccharide content was quantified using the phenol-sulfuric acid method. The results showed that the total polyphenol, flavonoid, and polysaccharide contents were 25.47 ± 1.50 mg gallic acid equivalent per gram dry weight (mg GAE/g DW), 9.52 ± 0.80 mg quercetin equivalent per gram dry weight (mg QE/g DW), and 55.37 ± 3.20 mg glucose equivalent per gram dry weight (mg GE/g DW), respectively. Among the investigated bioactive compounds, total polysaccharides recorded the highest content , followed by polyphenols and flavonoids. These findings indicate that fish mint was a promising source of natural bioactive compounds with potential applications in functional foods and health-promoting products..