Nutritional Constituents and In Vitro Antioxidant Activities of Selected Wild Edible Fruits

Abstract

This chapter investigates the phytochemical and antioxidant activities of fruit extracts from locally available edible wild fruits, such as Ficus carica (figs), Melastoma malabathricum (tinku), Ziziphus mauritiana (plum). Flavonoid and total phenolic content (TPC) were investigated by using Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride method, respectively. Moisture content, ash content, and protein content in the selected fruits were determined for the study on nutritional composition. The assessment of the antioxidant activities were measured using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) method. Results revealed that the nutritional compositions in studied wild fruits (fig, tinku, and plum) were in significant amounts. Total phenolic compound both in methanol and aqueous extract of tinku was recorded highest 13212.40 ± 0.06 μg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g and 12818.13 ± 0.08 μg GAE/g, respectively. Flavonoid content both in methanol and aqueous extract of plum was found highest 2.04 ± 0.12 mM quercetin equivalent (QE)/100 g and 10.18 ± 0.22 mM QE/100 g, respectively. In DPPH assay, fig both in aqueous and methanol extracts were recorded highest activity 56.49 ± 2.01% and 60.40 ± 0.18%, respectively whereas tinku showed the highest activity of 4350.20 ± 0.18 mM Fe2+/g in FRAP method. Results revealed that edible wild fruits may be beneficial for human health as the fruits exhibited potent source of healthy compounds.