Morphological, Nutritional, Chemical and Antioxidant Potential of Mahonia Jaunsarensis Ahrendt Fruit: A Narrow Endemic Wild Edible Species of Western Himalaya

Abstract

ABSTRACTMahonia jaunsarensis Ahrendt is a narrow endemic wild edible fruit-bearing species found in Uttarakhand Himalaya and has the potential of breeding compatibility with economically important Mahonia and Berberis species. Berry fruits of the species were explored for nutritional, phytochemical and antioxidant potential among three sampling locations. Fresh berries appeared a good source of diverse nutrients (carbohydrate 1.07–1.25 g/100 g, protein 0.97–1.13 g/100 g, non-reducing sugar 3.38–3.92 mg/g, and total sugar 9.86–12.87 mg/g); minerals (e.g. sodium 0.56–0.65 mg/100 g and potassium 0.99–1.14 mg/g); and vitamins (ascorbic acid 3.87–4.49 mg/g, thiamine 9.97–11.57 µg/g and carotenoids 1.67–1.94 mg/g). Similarly, phytochemicals (total anthocyanin 18.93–22.12 mg/g, phenolics 1.56–1.80 mg GAE/g, flavonoids 1.49–1.73 mg QE/g, flavonols 4.88–5.66 mg CE/g, and tannins 6.53–7.58 mg TAE/g) and in vitro antioxidant capacity (measured by ABTS assay, DPPH assay, OH· radical scavenging activity and FRAP assays) varied significantly (p < .05) among localities. Various phenolic compounds (particularly, chlorogenic acid 9.93–13.77 mg/g; caffeic acid 0.32–0.65 mg/g; syringic acid 0.30–0.47 mg/g fw) present in the methanolic extract also varied significantly among the localities. Thus, this phytonutrient- and antioxidant-rich genetic resource can be utilized for health-promoting functional foods. Also, the results of the present study indicated that the variation in nutritional, phytochemicals, and antioxidant activity among the locations can be utilized for elite selection, quality control, and breeding programs in the species.

Keywords

• Antioxidant
• Himalaya
• Nutritional profile
• Phytochemicals
• Wild berries