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plants are reported to be good sources of health-beneficial compounds such as fatty acid, which can generate livelihood and address food and nutritional insecurity 9) .Among others, Prinsepia utilis belongs to the family Rosaceae and is commonly known as Himalayan Cherry (English) ; Bhekhal, Jatalu, and Dhatila (Hindi) is one of the WEP found in the Himalayan region. It is a deciduous shrub found between 1000-3000 m asl and used in Chinese & Indian medicine to cure skin diseases, rheumatism, inflammation, and leprosy 10) . The seeds of the species are a source of edible oil and are reported as good as Mediterranean olive oil 11) . The seeds are rich in palmitic, oleic, linoleic, and erucic acid 9) . Besides cooking, the oil is used in arthritis, body pain, and muscular pain 11) . The seed oil is used in cosmeceuticals, skincare formulations and works as a skin barrier due to the presence of unsaturated fatty acids and vitamins 12) . The whole plant is traditionally used in many aliments such as infantile eczema, myogenic toxic-Abstract: The study aims to identify the fatty acid composition in Prinsepia utilis seeds collected from diverse populations of Western Himalaya, India. The seeds contained higher saturated fatty acid (SFA-43.09%; Average of all populations) followed by polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA -29.57%) and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA -25.53%), however variations among growing populations was measured. The correlation analysis reveals a significant (p < 0.05) negative connection between 10-Octadecenoic acid methyl ester (FA1), and altitude. Edaphic factors like available nitrogen showed significantly (p < 0.05) but the negative correlation with cis-11-Eicosenoic acid, methyl ester (FA10; p < 0.001), Docosanoic acid, methyl ester (FA11; p < 0.05), Heptadecanoic acid, methyl ester (FA14; p < 0.05), and Tricosanoic acid, methyl ester (FA29; p < 0.05). Antioxidant activity did not show any variation in the seed oil of different populations but varied among the concentrations (5-50 µL) used. IC 50 values of DPPH activity was significantly (p < 0.05) varied connect ranged from 11.31-24.21 µL/mL among the different populations. These variations in fatty acid composition and IC 50 values of the DPPH activity can be one of the indicators for selecting a promising population that would be harnessed for its potential in nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals industries.

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BACKGROUND: Genus Fragaria (family - Rosaceae), popular edible berry fruits with delicious flavor and considerable health benefits has many wild relatives in the Himalayan region. OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to characterize variability in morphology, physicochemical properties, phytochemicals, and antioxidant activity in wild Himalayan Strawberry, Fragaria nubicola along the ripening stages and among the genotypes. METHOD: Morphological and physicochemical properties, thiamine, carotenes, total phenolic content, phenolic compounds, total flavonoids, flavonols, tannins, anthocyanins, and antioxidant activity (ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays) were determined in four ripening stages of berry fruits. RESULTS: Morphological attributes (diameter, length, volume, and fresh weight of berries) have shown considerable variations among the genotypes and increased significantly (p <  0.05) with the ripening stages. The physicochemical properties such as juice content, pH and moisture content also increased with the ripening, however, the pomace content decreased with the ripening. Anthocyanin content increased significantly (p <  0.05) with ripening and reached at maximum level after full ripening. A successive decrease in free and bounded total phenolic, flavonoid, and flavonol contents was observed with the ripening except in total tannin content. However, a reverse trend of these phenolics was observed in juice along with the ripening. The antioxidant activity measured by three in vitro assays increased with the ripening. Phenolics were extracted higher in the acidified methanolic solvent (extracted free and bounded phenolics) as compared to methanolic solvent (extracted free phenolics). Phenolic compounds quantified by RP-HPCL analysis were extracted higher in acidified methanol as compared to methanol, except chlorogenic acid content. CONCLUSION: The results showed quantitative changes in free and bounded phenolics and morphological and functional traits along with the ripening. Also, this important genetic resource exhibited potential utility in the breeding of strawberry improvement programs and as an alternative resource of rich phytonutrients and antioxidants as a functional food.

Wild edibles and non-cultivated plants were significantly contributing to nutritional security and livelihood in rural areas of Himalayan region. The rich nutritional value and diversity of secondary metabolites in these plants escaped proper recognition; hence, warranted systematic and research investigation. The present study focuses on the assessment of nutritional composition of three underutilized wild edible fruits i.e. Prinsepia utilis Royle, Prunus persica L. and Neolitsea pallens D.Don. growing wildly in Western Himalaya. The seed kernels of all the selected species were found to be rich sources of nutrients (e.g., lipids, carbohydrates and proteins), minerals (e.g., phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, iron and sodium) and energy value. Edible oil obtained from seed kernels of P. utilis and P. persica were found rich in essential fatty acid (linolenic acid), important unsaturated (omega-6 & omega-9) and saturated fatty acids. Among these, seed kernels of P. utilis possessed maximum quantity of carbohydrate (20.6%) and crude fiber (14.57%), whereas, fat content (70.40%) and energy value (720k cal/100 g) were found maximum for Neolitsea pallens. The results of this study indicated potential of selected species in combating nutritional insecurity.