Evaluation of Polyphenolics Content and Antioxidant Activity in Edible Wild Fruits

Abstract

Plant diversity is a basic source of food and medicines for the local communities of the Himalayas. Current study was intended to assess polyphenolics content and antioxidant potential in edible wild fruits used as food and to treat various diseases by the inhabitants of Himalayan region of Pakistan. The fruits of 20 plant species were evaluated using standard protocols, whereas information on medicinal uses was gathered through semistructured interviews. Comparatively, <i>Prunus domestica</i> and <i>Rubus ellipticus</i> fruits exhibited highest levels of phenolics and flavonols contents (113.55 ± 0.61 mg GAE/100 g and 200.06 ± 1.57 mg RtE/100 g FW, respectively) in acetone extract. Nevertheless, flavonoids were maximum in the water extract of <i>Rosa moschata</i> (194.82 ± 3.46 mg RtE/100 g FW). Contrary, <i>Duchesnea indica</i> fruit depicted significant potential to scavenge DPPH and H₂O₂ radicals at 94.66 ± 8.89% in acetone extract and 83.54± 9.37% in water extract, while acetone extract of <i>Rubus ellipticus</i> had maximum potential to reduce ferric ions (133.66 ± 15.00 <i>µ</i>M GAE/100 g FW). Additionally, total antioxidant capacity was highest in the acetone extract of <i>Berberis lycium</i> fruit (332.08 ± 21.90 <i>µ</i>M AAE/100 g FW). The relationships between polyphenolics and antioxidant activity revealed synergistic role of secondary metabolites in the prevention of diseases. Our study revealed that wild fruits consumed by the local communities of Himalayas are rich in health beneficial phytochemicals and hold significant potential to treat chronic diseases, particularly associated with free radicals.