Himalayan Plants Research Articles

An investigation into the potential for upward range expansion in high-montane species on the roof of the world.

Climate warming is occurring in high-mountain areas at a faster rate than the global average. To escape the increasing temperatures, alpine species may shift in distribution upwards, threatening cold-adapted nival plant specialists. However, little is known about the success of seedling emergence and establishment at high altitudes outside the current range, particularly in the highest mountain areas of the Himalayas. We selected four native alpine species occurring around 4000 m a.s.l. and sowed seeds at the natural growing site (GS), at a high elevation site (HS; 5000 m a.s.l.) and at high elevation with soil from the growing site (HS-S) in the Khumbu Valley, north-eastern Nepal. We monitored seedling emergence and establishment for two consecutive years. Seedling emergence and establishment varied between species. Emergence was similar between GS and HS and improved at HS-S. Establishment was low at high elevations with all but one species having high mortality after winter. Seedling emergence of low elevation plants is possible at high elevations in the Everest region, indicating species may be able to shift their distribution range upwards. However, successful establishment may be limited by the soil and high winter mortality at high elevations, although not in all species. Climate warming will potentially lead to upward migration of some Himalayan plant species, leading to altered community composition in high-mountain areas.

Contrasting biomass allocations explain adaptations to cold and drought in the world's highest-growing angiosperms.

Understanding biomass allocation among plant organs is crucial for comprehending plant growth optimization, survival and responses to the drivers of global change. Yet, the mechanisms governing mass allocation in vascular plants from extreme elevations exposed to cold and drought stresses remain poorly understood. We analysed organ mass weights and fractions in 258 Himalayan herbaceous species across diverse habitats (wetland, steppe, alpine), growth forms (annual, perennial taprooted, rhizomatous and cushiony) and climatic gradients (3500-6150 m elevation) to explore whether biomass distribution adhered to fixed allometric or optimal partitioning rules, and how variations in size, phylogeny and ecological preferences influence their strategies for resource allocation. Following optimal partitioning theory, Himalayan plants distribute more biomass to key organs vital for acquiring and preserving limited resources necessary for their growth and survival. Allocation strategies are mainly influenced by plant growth forms and habitat conditions, notably temperature, water availability and evaporative demands. Alpine plants invest primarily in below-ground stem bases for storage and regeneration, reducing above-ground stems while increasing leaf mass fraction to maximize carbon assimilation in their short growing season. Conversely, arid steppe plants prioritize deep roots over leaves to secure water and minimize transpiration. Wetland plants allocate resources to above-ground stems and below-ground rhizomes, enabling them to resist competition and grazing in fertile environments. Himalayan plants from extreme elevations optimize their allocation strategies to acquire scarce resources under specific conditions, efficiently investing carbon from supportive to acquisitive and protective functions with increasing cold and drought. Intraspecific variation and shared ancestry have not significantly altered biomass allocation strategies of Himalayan plants. Despite diverse evolutionary histories, plants from similar habitats have developed comparable phenotypic structures to adapt to their specific environments. This study offers new insights into plant adaptations in diverse Himalayan environments and underscores the importance of efficient resource allocation for survival and growth in challenging conditions.

Constructing a database of alien plants in the Himalaya to test patterns structuring diversity.

Differences in the number of alien plant species in different locations may reflect climatic and other controls that similarly affect native species and/or propagule pressure accompanied with delayed spread from the point of introduction. We set out to examine these alternatives for Himalayan plants, in a phylogenetic framework. We build a database of alien plant distributions for the Himalaya. Focusing on the well-documented regions of Jammu & Kashmir (west) and Bhutan (east) we compare alien and native species for (1) richness patterns, (2) degree of phylogenetic clustering, (3) the extent to which species-poor regions are subsets of species-rich regions and (4) continental and climatic affinities/source. We document 1470 alien species (at least 600 naturalised), which comprise ~14% of the vascular plants known from the Himalaya. Alien plant species with tropical affinities decline in richness with elevation and species at high elevations form a subset of those at lower elevations, supporting location of introduction as an important driver of alien plant richness patterns. Separately, elevations which are especially rich in native plant species are also rich in alien plant species, suggesting an important role for climate (high productivity) in determining both native and alien richness. We find no support for the proposition that variance in human disturbance or numbers of native species correlate with alien distributions. Results imply an ongoing expansion of alien species from low elevation sources, some of which are highly invasive.

Ecological significance of marcescence in Himalayan plants: Why is standing dead phytomass more important in demanding, resource‐limited environments?

Abstract Understanding mechanisms allowing plants to thrive in challenging conditions is critical for predicting their responses to global environmental change. An often overlooked ecological adaptation is marcescence, where leaves and stems are retained beyond their typical shedding time, with implications for nutrient recycling and carbon sequestration. Marcescence can be expected in plants with conservative resource‐use strategies, especially in environments with limited resources and marked seasonality, such as deserts and alpine regions. However, the extent to which marcescence occurs in different taxa across different habitats and its relationship to seasonality and plant functioning as reflected in ecophysiological traits remains understudied. We studied 600 individuals across 40 Himalayan herb species found in desert, steppe, alpine and subnival habitats, spanning 3000–5400 m elevation. Marcescence was observed in 37 of the 40 species evaluated, with 57% of the sampled individuals displaying dead phytomass, indicating the widespread nature of this phenomenon in Himalayan ecosystems. Environment and plant traits emerged as significant factors influencing the amount of dead‐standing biomass. These findings remained robust after accounting for intraspecific variation and phylogenetic inertia. Desert and steppe species exhibited greater marcescent biomass, characterized by 10‐fold more dead stem biomass than alpine and subnival plants. In contrast, the proportion of dead phytomass increased with elevation due to increased dead leaf fraction. Taller desert species with heavily lignified stems and limited nitrogen and phosphorus content had high levels of stem marcescence, which not only may aid litter photodegradation and nutrient recycling but also deter herbivory and promote seed dispersal (tumbleweed). Conversely, slow‐growing alpine and subnival plants with higher water‐use efficiency, foliar C:N ratios and parenchymatic storage tissue rich in mobile carbohydrates had a high proportion of marcescent leaves, which may aid survival in these resource‐limited environments by providing delayed nutrients through moisture‐conserving mulch that also provides insulation and protection from frost. This study provides new insights into the complex interplay of habitat, seasonality and plant traits in dead phytomass retention in Himalayan plants. Marcescence is prevalent in resource‐conservative species in highly seasonal, resource‐limited habitats and may significantly shape the functioning and biodiversity of Himalayan ecosystems. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Exploring the Indian Himalayan Plants with Antimicrobial Activity: A Comprehensive Review

Exploring the Indian Himalayan Plants with Antimicrobial Activity: A Comprehensive Review

Neurological potency of native plants from sub-Himalayan West Bengal through reverse pharmacology

Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and epilepsy, pose a growing global health challenge due to an aging population. These conditions share common processes, including protein accumulation, oxidative stress, and neuro-inflammation, making their treatment complex and costly. Network pharmacology, an innovative approach integrating systems biology and computational biology, offers insights into multi-target formulations and the repurposing of existing medications for neurodegenerative diseases. We shortlisted 730 bioactive compounds from 25 traditional Himalayan plants, assessed their drug-like properties using ADME criteria, and predicted their potential target proteins through reverse docking and pharmacophore mapping. Our study identified 287 compounds with high gastrointestinal absorption and good blood-brain barrier permeability. These compounds were subjected to target prediction, yielding a list of 171 potential target proteins. Functional annotation and pathway enrichment analysis highlighted their involvement in steroid hormone-related pathways, MAPK signaling, FOXO signaling, TNF signaling, VEGF signaling, and neurotrophin signaling. Importantly, one plant, Valeriana jatamansi, exhibited an association with beta-amyloid binding activity, a potential therapeutic approach for AD. From our study we could understand how these plants modulate our body to manage these diseases. However, further in vitro and in vivo validation is needed before commercial and public use of this data.

Ecological Studies of Nardostachys grandiflora: An Endangered Medicinal Plant of Sikkim Himalaya

Nardostachys grandiflora is a perennial rhizomatous herb found in the alpine part of Sikkim and is known for its medicinal and aromatic properties. Collected for its rhizome, N. grandiflora is used to cure conditions including neurosis, insomnia, convulsions, epilepsy and heart palpitations. It is also a source of fragrant oil, which is used in high-quality fragrances, incense and as a flavoring ingredient. Popular in local communities, this species is in danger of extinct, due to its over-collection, habitat degradation, and climatic changes. Due to its isolated habitat and small population, research on this species is very low and infrequent. Thus, an attempt was made to understand the population distribution of N. grandiflora in the alpine regions of Sikkim. The study reveals low population densities in all of the sites of observation. However, two studied sites in the North districts and one site in the East district showed very low population densities and importance value index of N. grandiflora. Therefore, urgent action and conservation measures must be taken to protect the highly endangered Himalayan plant.

Hippophae rhamnoides L. (sea buckthorn) mediated green synthesis of copper nanoparticles and their application in anticancer activity.

Green synthesis of nanoparticles has drawn huge attention in the last decade due to their eco-friendly, biocompatible nature. Phyto-assisted synthesis of metallic nanoparticles is widespread in the field of nanomedicine, especially for antimicrobial and anticancer activity. Here in the present research work, investigators have used the stem extract of the Himalayan plant Hippophae rhamnoides L, for the synthesis of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs). The synthesized of CuNPs were analyzed by using sophisticated instruments, i.e., Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The size of the synthesized CuNPs was varying from 38nm to 94nm which were mainly spherical in shape. Further, the potential of the synthesized CuNPs was evaluated as an anticancer agent on the Hela cell lines, by performing an MTT assay. In the MTT assay, a concentration-dependent activity of CuNPs demonstrated the lower cell viability at 100μg/mL and IC50 value at 48μg/mL of HeLa cancer cell lines. In addition to this, apoptosis activity was evaluated by reactive oxygen species (ROS), DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) staining, Annexin V, and Propidium iodide (PI) staining, wherein the maximum ROS production was at a dose of 100µg per mL of CuNPs with a higher intensity of green fluorescence. In both DAPI and PI staining, maximum nuclear condensation was observed with 100μg/mL of CuNPs against HeLa cell lines.

In vitro evaluation of antifungal potential of selected plant species against Fusarium solani

Abstract. Pant D, Tapwal A, Tiwari B, Thakur JS. 2023. In vitro evaluation of antifungal potential of selected plant species against Fusarium solani. Asian J Nat Prod Biochem 21 (2): 51-57. The hazardous effect of synthetic fungicides is a major concern. Therefore, the development of safe and eco-friendly fungicides is momentarily imperative. The Himalaya is considered a rich repository of floristic diversity, endowed with several medicinally important plant species exhibiting antimicrobial potential. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-mycotic potential of five selected Himalayan plant species viz. Berberis lycium Royle, Zanthoxylum armatum DC., Valeriana jatamansi Jones, Ageratina adenophora (Spreng.) R.M. King & H. Rob. and Polystichum squarrosum (D. Don) Fee by poisoned food technique against Fusarium solani which is considered as one of the major causes of Shisham. Crude extract of B. lycium exhibited maximum growth inhibition (51.58%) of F. solani, followed by Z. armatum (21.94%) and V. jatamansi (21.45%). However, the inhibitory effect of A. adenophora and P. squarrosum extracts on fungal growth was insignificant. Furthermore, the potentials of three solvents (aqueous, ethanol and acetone) were evaluated for the extraction of antimycotic phytochemicals from the leaf of B. lycium and ethanol was found to be comparatively more effective. Phytochemical analysis of a crude extract of B. lycium revealed the presence of different groups of bioactive compounds, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, phenolics and tannins. Thus, the presence of diverse groups of phytochemicals in B. lycium makes it more effective in controlling the growth of F. solani and can be used in the development of eco-friendly fungicides.

Himalayan Sources of Anthocyanins and Its Multifunctional Applications: A Review.

Anthocyanins, the colored water-soluble pigments, have increasingly drawn the attention of researchers for their novel applications. The sources of anthocyanin are highly diverse, and it can be easily extracted. The unique biodiversity of the Himalayan Mountain range is an excellent source of anthocyanin, but it is not completely explored. Numerous attempts have been made to study the phytochemical aspects of different Himalayan plants. The distinct flora of the Himalayas can serve as a potential source of anthocyanins for the food industry. In this context, this review is an overview of the phytochemical studies conducted on Himalayan plants for the estimation of anthocyanins. For that, many articles have been studied to conclude that plants (such as Berberis asiatica, Morus alba, Ficus palmata, Begonia xanthina, Begonia palmata, Fragaria nubicola, etc.) contain significant amounts of anthocyanin. The application of Himalayan anthocyanin in nutraceuticals, food colorants, and intelligent packaging films have also been briefly debated. This review creates a path for further research on Himalayan plants as a potential source of anthocyanins and their sustainable utilization in the food systems.

Genomics assisted characterization of plant growth-promoting and metabolite producing psychrotolerant Himalayan Chryseobacterium cucumeris PCH239.

Here, we report the first complete genome of a psychrotolerant and yellow-pigmented rhizobacteria Chryseobacterium cucumeris PCH239. It was obtained from the rhizospheric soil of the Himalayan plant Bergenia ciliata. The genome consists of a single contig (5.098Mb), 36.3% G + C content, and 4899 genes. The cold adaptation, stress response, and DNA repair genes promote survivability in a high-altitude environment. PCH239 grows in temperature (10-37°C), pH (6.0-8.0), and NaCl (2.0%). The genome derived plant growth-promoting activities of siderophore production (siderophore units 53 ± 0.6), phosphate metabolism (PSI 5.0 ± 0.8), protease, indole acetic acid production (17.3 ± 0.5µg/ml), and ammonia (2.89 ± 0.4 µmoles) were experimentally validated. Interestingly, PCH239 treatment of Arabidopsis seeds significantly enhances germination, primary, and hairy root growth. In contrast, Vigna radiata and Cicer arietinum seeds had healthy radicle and plumule elongation, suggesting varied plant growth-promotion effects. Our findings suggested the potential of PCH239 as a bio-fertilizer and biocontrol agent in the challenging conditions of cold and hilly regions.

Distribution of important medicinal plant species in Nepal under past, present, and future climatic conditions

Climate change is causing shifts in the habitat, distribution, ecology, and phenology of Himalayan plants. These changes are predicted to continue, jeopardizing the survival of medicinal plant species and local livelihoods that rely on them. We analyzed the present and future diversity and distribution of medicinal plant species influenced by different climate change scenarios, and calculated the climatic niche of the species using ensemble species distribution modeling (eSDM). We compiled 1041 (N) geospatial data of seven high-value medicinal plant species of Nepal: Aconitum spicatum (n = 100), Allium wallichii (n = 151), Bergenia ciliata (n = 48), Nardostachys jatamansi (n = 121), Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora (n = 94), Paris polyphylla (n = 310) and Valeriana jatamansi (n = 217) including over 85 % from field surveys and the rest from literature and online database. We used bioclimatic variables from Models for Interdisciplinary Research on Climate (MIROC) of version MIROC6, and selected Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP)2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 for the year of 2050 and 2070 for modeling. We found elevation, mean diurnal and annual temperature ranges (BIO2 and BIO7), and precipitation of warmest and coldest quarters (BIO18 and BIO19) to be the most high weight cofactors for projecting the future potential distribution of high-value medicinal plants in Nepal. Results showed that the suitable range of distribution for high-value medicinal plants would increase and concentrate in mountainous areas of central Nepal, but decline in (sub)tropical and temperate areas, suggesting both in-situ and ex-situ conservation practices, respectively.

Species- and compound-specific dynamics of nonstructural carbohydrates toward the world’s upper distribution of vascular plants

Nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) are the crucial components of plant metabolism, and NSC dynamics provide essential information on plant carbon balance, which usually changes toward the distribution limits of plants. NSC have been extensively used to study the elevational limit in trees all around the world. For alpine herbs, which occupy vast areas beyond treelines, such investigations are still lacking. To assess whether carbon supply is a limiting factor for the upper distribution limits of alpine herbs, we studied NSC in belowground organs of 11 perennial species across their 4500–6000 m elevation ranges in the Western Himalayas at the peak of the growing season. We found a general elevational increase in total NSC within and across species. Studied alpine plants contain simple sugars and fructans as the main NSC and less so starch. Species- and compound-specific elevation patterns were found for different NSC compounds, suggesting a regulatory role of NSC in alpine herbs acclimation rather than a general accumulation of all NSC resulting from growth limitation. Similar to studies on treeline NSC dynamics, our study shows that reduced carbon supply is an unlikely cause of high-elevation range limits in herbs. Yet, the elevational NSC dynamics in alpine herbs still needs further exploration, with an emphasis on different compounds and their function in acclimatory metabolic processes, to clearly identify the key mechanisms determining plant range limits. • Nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) shortage is not a cause of plant elevation limits • Total NSC in studied Himalayan plants generally increased with elevation. • Simple sugars and fructans predominate in plant belowground organs. • Individual types of NSC compounds suggest an active acclimation to elevation

Musk Rose (<em>Rosa moschata</em>) Grown at Middle Hill Climatic Conditions of the Western Himalayas: A Rich Source of Anti-Oxidants and Nutrients

Musk rose (Rosa moschata) is an important wild aromatic climbing shrub of Rosaceae family. Scant scientific information is available on phyto-chemical composition and antioxidant activity of the Himalayan plant. Here we report, nutrient compositions, antioxidant constituents and activities of the different plant parts like leaves, petals, and rest of the flower parts of musk rose. Chlorophyll pigments and carotenoids contents were significantly higher in the mature leaves (2113.1 and 125.2 mg/g fresh weight respectively). The mature leaves also contained significantly higher amount of ascorbic acid (227.0 mg/100g) followed by the dried petals (141.6 mg/100g). The total antioxidant activity, determined based on ABTS and DPPH free radical scavenging ability, was higher in the hydro-alcoholic extracts from dried petals, dried flowers and mature leaves than that in the other parts. Analysis of the extracts from the dried petals revealed significantly higher contents of phenolics (62.9 mg/g), flavonoids (23.7 mg/g), tannins (133.8 mg/g), total carbohydrates (191.6 mg/g) and soluble protein (49.3 mg/g). The mature leaves were found to be the next richer sources for these nutrients. Correlation analysis revealed positive correlation of total antioxidant activities and the antioxidant constituents of the plant extract suggesting contribution of these compounds to the higher antioxidant activities. Thus, the phyto-chemical composition analyses suggest dried petals and mature leaves as potential natural sources of the nutrients and antioxidants. The study may further enhance utility of the Himalayan plant as source for preparing alternative natural medicines and functional foods.

A Review of Himalayan Medicinal Plants against Cancer

Background: Plants contributed numerous novel compounds for prophylactic and curative medicine to modern science. They are an important source of natural agents used in various pharmaceutical industries. Himalayan plants are abundant in various secondary metabolites, such as anthraquinones, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, and terpenes. The Himalayan plants are grown in high altitudes and have around 6500 years old history as traditional medicines. Aim: This review article systematically presents information on Himalayan medicinal plants having anti-cancer potentials. Methodology: Around 160 articles were reviewed using online search engines, like PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and floras of different Himalayan countries. Results: An attempt has been made to review anti-cancer plants and active constituents isolated from several anti-cancerous plants of Himalayan regions. Eighty-three anti-cancer plants are reported in this review, and a total of twenty-two active chemical constituents, including phenolic compounds, glycosides, terpenoids, and alkaloids from the plants, were reported active against various cancer cell lines. Conclusion: Several synthetic agents are used to cure cancer, but many undesired side effects occur during chemotherapy. Hence, the research is going on to investigate natural therapies, such as the use of plant-derived products in cancer treatment. They may reduce adverse side effects.

Himalayan Ethnobotanical Exploration: An Overview of Selected Studies of Kangra District in Himachal Pradesh

Ethnobotany gives an understanding of interrelationships between people and plants. It deals with the documentation of the indigenous traditional knowledge of plants possessed by ethnic people and primitive communities who also are the custodians of this knowledge. They practice the traditional way of treatment for various ailments. Now, this knowledge holds both cultural as well as scientific value. The ethnobotanical knowledge also provides the source for the discovery of many drugs. Usage of Himalayan plant species for food and medicine has been well known for a long time. This knowledge is depleting rapidly in recent times due to globalization and modernization. This investigation provides ethnobotanical information from selected studies that truly focuses on the traditional medicinal plants used by the local people of the Kangra district. Information for the present study was collected through publications available on the ethnobotanical studies of the area. These studies provide relevant literature and inventories of useful plants. As the search for natural products and new drugs from plants is an important element, it becomes important to create awareness about biodiversity conservation as well as their role in healthcare. Measures are needed to support biodiversity prospecting and for conserving useful plants which are harvested only from the wild. Paying special attention to sustainable use of the ethnomedicinal plants found in the area may help lessen the impact of harvesting specific plant resources.

Threat status of three important medicinal Himalayan plant species and conservation implications

A lack of precise information about the threat status of species hampers their effective conservation. The Target 2 of the Convention on Biological Diversity calls for evaluation of threat status at global, national and regional levels to identify plant species of urgent conservation concern. Here we have empirically assessed the threat status of three valuable medicinal plant species (Trillium govanianum, Rheum tibeticum, and Arnebia euchroma) through extensive field studies and herbarium consultations in Kashmir Himalaya and cold desert region of Trans-Himalayan Ladakh. In accordance with the IUCN Red List categories and criteria, each of the three target species turned out to be Near Threatened (NT). According to the NatureServe Conservation Status Assessment, each of these species faces the overall threat impact of «High» to «Very high». We found that the anthropogenic threats emanating from unplanned economic development, road construction and other infrastructure related projects contribute to a fast decline in natural populations of these three species. Keeping in view the value of these species, on the one hand, and growing threats to their survival in the wild, on the other one, we call for urgent conservation strategies in the vulnerable Himalayan habitats for regional socio-economic development.

Temperature and soils predict the distribution of plant species along the Himalayan elevational gradient

AbstractTropical montane systems are characterized by a high plant species diversity and complex environmental gradients. Climate warming may force species to track suitable climatic conditions and shift their distribution upward, which may be particularly problematic for species with narrow elevational ranges. To better understand the fate of montane plant species in the face of climate change, we evaluated a) which environmental factors best predict the distribution of 277 plant species along the Himalayan elevational gradient in Nepal, and b) whether species elevational ranges increase with increasing elevation. To this end, we developed ecological niche models using MaxEnt by combining species survey and presence data with 19 environmental predictors. Key environmental factors that best predicted the distribution of Himalayan plant species were mean annual temperature (for 54.5% of the species) followed by soil clay content (10.2%) and slope (9.4%). Although temperature is the best predictor, it is associated with many other covariates that may explain species distribution, such as irradiance and potential evapotranspiration. Species at both ends of the Himalayan elevational gradient had narrower elevational ranges than species in the middle. Our results suggest that with further global warming, most Himalayan plant species have to migrate upward, which is especially critical for upland species with narrow distribution ranges.

Traditional uses, phytochemistry and biological activities of Roscoea purpurea Sm.

Background: Roscoea purpurea Sm. (Zingiberaceae) is an important Himalayan plant used as tonic and for the treatment of various diseases. Methods: The scientific information about the traditional uses, bioactive compounds, and biological activities were collected from the published research articles, books, and online scholarly databases such as Scopus, SciFinder and PubMed. Results: R. purpurea is a valuable medicinal plant in the traditional medicinal system Ayurveda and is also locally used for the treatment of diabetes, urinary troubles, etc. Various bioactive compounds including phenolic acids, flavonoids and diterpenoids are reported mainly from the rhizomes. The extracts and compounds obtained from the rhizomes showed antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic and oxidative DNA damage protecting activities. Conclusion: The study highlighted the traditional uses, bioactive compounds, and biological activities of R. purpurea. Published scientific articles suggest that the rhizomes are rich in bioactive compounds with pharmacological importance. Rhizomes can be a potential source for the development of functional foods and nutritional products. As most of the bioactivity analyses were based on in-vitro assays, future studies should focus more on in vivo and clinical studies. Keywords: Roscoea, kakoli, rasgari, antioxidant, phenolic acids, flavonoids

Ice structuring protein extract of Hordeum vulgare var. dolma grain reduces drip loss and loss of soluble vitamin content in peas during frozen storage

The Himalayan plants face low temperature during their life cycle and are expected to possess antifreeze proteins. The present work describes screening of six plant species that grow in Himalayas, for their ice structuring properties with an aim to provide a vegetarian source of ice structuring proteins. The ice-structuring protein extract of barley [Hordeum vulgare; variety Dolma (HvISE)] and wheat [Triticum aestivum; variety Him Pratham DH 114 (TaISE) ]showed inhibition of growth of ice crystals during the process of recrystallization. This property was analyzed for its application in frozen peas by pretreatment with HvISE before freezing. The drip loss was measured in frozen peas after thawing. Further, the water-soluble vitamins; thiamine, pyridoxine, riboflavin, and ascorbic acid were quantified before and after freezing of green peas by UHPLC-PDA. The pretreatment with HvISE reduced the loss of ascorbic acid, riboflavin, and pyridoxine during their frozen storage. The present study identified barley as a remarkable source of ice structuring proteins and validated its potential for frozen peas. The work has enormous implications in frozen food industry, in general.