Evaluation of Nutritional Value, Antioxidant Activity, and Phenolic Content of Protium serratum Engl and Artocarpus chama Buch.-Ham, Wild Edible Fruits Available in Tripura, a North-Eastern State of India

Abstract

Background:Protium serratum Engl (Indian red pear) and Artocarpus chama Buch.- Ham (wild jackfruit) are typical wild edible fruits that have a wide range of folk medicinal properties.Objectives:Our present study deals with the exploration of nutritional value, antioxidant activity, and total phenolic content present in Protium serratum Engl and Artocarpus chama Buch.-Ham fruits.Methods:The soxhlet apparatus was used to extract crude samples. The quantitative analysis of the wild edible fruits was broadly done by proximate and ultimate analysis techniques.Results:The results showed that the moisture contents in P. serratum and A. chama Buch. are 78.53% and 74.23%, respectively. The obtained ash (8.59%), fiber (3.17%), total sugar (5.495 mg/100g), and fat (0.66%) contents are high in P. serratum. In contrast, A. chama Buch. has a high content of protein (0.52%). Vitamin C content is higher in P. serratum (550 mg/100g) than that in A. chama Buch. (350 mg/100g). The result shows that the Ca and Mg contents are higher in P. serratum compared to A. chama Buch. Indian red pear shows good antioxidant properties and has high total phenolic content as compared to wild jackfruit and some commercial fruits.Conclusion:The study establishes that further investigation must be done to determine the development of new products, processing, and preservation techniques so that two underutilized fruits can become a part of our regular dietary habits. By doing so, we can enrich the fruit basket of the country.