Fruit Biochemical, Bioactive and Antioxidant Characteristics of Prunus Nepalensis

Abstract

Prunus nepalensis is an important wild edible fruit tree of the eastern Himalayas, India. The fruit is known as a rich source of bioactive ingredients, pigmentation, and a distinctive organoleptic feature; however, the information available is scattered and focused mainly on the content of compounds in an isolated manner. The bioactive substances and pigmentations of P. nepalensis, as well as their potential applications were therefore thoroughly explored. All the data and literature were collected and analyzed. Sohiong fruits, had a unique blend of high titratable acidity, pH, citric acids, ascorbic acid, and total soluble solids (TSS). The proximate analysis revealed a high total carbohydrate, reducing sugar, total sugar, glucose, fructose, sucrose, crude oil, crude fiber, and ash content of fruits. A considerable amount of macro and micro mineral and nutritional content, including N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, S, Na, and Fe, was recorded. The pulp and peel pigmentation of fruits was mainly due to the accumulation of anthocyanin (293-341 mg/100 g), including carotenoids, beta-carotene, flavonoids, and flavanol. A high content of ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), total tannin, reduced glutathione, and hydroxyl radical activity are evidence of high antioxidants. Advancement in the development of novel extraction technologies has also improved the recovery efficiency of anthocyanin from Sohiong fruits. Sohiong fruits had high levels of bioactive substances and pigments. These fruits can be potentially used in value addition, food processing, and pharmaceutical applications as dietary supplements and alternative sources of edible color.