Nutraceutical potential of selected wild edible fruits of the Indian Himalayan region

• Wild edible fruits as a source of nutraceuticals have been determined.
• Significant variation among species in relation to bioactive compounds was observed.
• Phyllanthus emblica and Terminalia chebula emerged for high antioxidant bioactive compounds.
• Morus alba and Berberis asiatica were found rich in anthocyanins.
• Potential of the wild edible fruits in attaining nutritional security is discussed.

Wild edible fruits contribute significantly to the nutritional security of mankind across the globe. However, detailed analyses of health promoting bioactive compounds and antioxidants are lacking, especially in Himalayan wild edible fruits. Bioactive compounds and antioxidant potential of 10 wild edible fruits reveal that Terminalia chebula, Phyllanthus emblica and Myrica esculenta are the richest source of total phenolics; Pyaracantha crenulata, Terminalia chebula and Berberis asiatica for flavonoids; Phyllanthus emblica, Morus alba and Ficus palmata for ascorbic acid, anthocyanins, and Morus alba for β-carotene. Phenolic compounds, i.e. Gallic acid, catechin, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and p-coumaric acid varied among species and found the maximum in Terminalia chebula and Phyllanthus emblica. Antioxidant activity showed the significant relation with total phenolics, flavonoids and phenolic compounds. Results indicated that these species should be promoted as a natural source of antioxidant/nutraceuticals so that these antioxidants can be used for supplementing dietary foods of mountain people.