Evaluation of Pomological Characteristics and Bioactive Compounds of Wild Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae Rhamnoides L.) and Hawthorn (Crataegus songarica) from Walnut-Fruit Forest Kyzyl-Unkur, Kyrgyzstan

Abstract

There are different berries and fruits naturally growing in the walnut-fruit forests of Kyrgyzstan, however, their composition and bioactive compounds have not been studied. This study aims to contribute to the limited literature on dietary fibres, ash, bioactive compounds such as vitamin C, polyphenols, antioxidant activity, and physical parameters of wild sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) and hawthorn (Crataegus songarica) from walnut-fruit forests of Kyrgyzstan. The standard food analysis techniques and DPPH assay were used to determine the nutritional composition and antioxidant activity of the samples, respectively. The total amount of polyphenols in the extracts was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteau micro method. The content of vitamin C in fresh sea buckthorn was higher than in hawthorn, but hawthorn has advantages in terms of the amount of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. Both studied species have high nutritional values and are recommended to be used in the diet to improve the food security of the local population.