Citrus macroptera (CM) fruit juice was used to reduce gold ions (Au3+) and to stabilize as‐formed gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). CM‐AuNPs exhibit surface Plasmon resonance (SPR) peak at 544 nm. Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) study reveals that they are multi‐shaped, predominantly pseudo‐spherical with a diameter 20 nm. They have surface charge −30 mV and possess FCC lattice pattern. Particles could effectively inhibit the biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. Experimental study shows that CM‐AuNPs make the bacteria cripple to generate EPS and pyocyanin. AFM images of the structure of biofilm reveal that CM‐AuNPs indeed efficiently disrupt the biofilm structure. CM‐AuNPs in combination with Sub‐MIC dose of gentamicin against P. aeruginosa bacteria exhibit quite high efficiency. The cytotoxic effect of CM‐AuNPs against three human cancer cell line show that they are comparatively more efficient to regulate the growth of HepG2 (liver cancer cell line) than that of A 549 (adenocarcinogenic human alveolar basal epithial cell) and MDA‐MB 468 (breast cancer cell). Thus, the CM‐AuNPs could be treated as a potential anti‐biofilm and anti‐cancer agent.

Background: Protium serratum Engl (Indian red peer) and Artocarpus chama Buch.-Ham (wild jackfruit) are typical wild edible fruits, which have a wide range of folk medicinal properties. Objectives: Our present study deals with the exploration of nutritional value, antioxidant activity and total phenolic content present in Protium serratum Engl and Artocarpus chama Buch.-Ham fruits. Methods: Soxhlet apparatus was used to extract crude samples. The quantitative analysis of the wild edible fruits was broadly done by proximate and ultimate analysis techniques. Results: The results showed that the moisture contents in P. serratum and A. chama Buch. are 78.53% and 74.23%, respectively. The obtained ash (8.59%), fiber (3.17%), total sugar (5.495 mg/100g), and fat (0.66%) contents are high in P. serratum. Whereas, A. chama Buch. has high content of protein (0.52%). Vitamin C content has higher in P. serratum (550 mg/100g) than that of A. chama Buch. (350 mg/100g). The result shows that the Ca and Mg contents have higher in P. serratum compared to A. chama Buch. Indian red peer shows good antioxidant property and has high total phenolic content as compared to wild jackfruit and some commercial fruits. Conclusion: The study establishes that further investigation must be done to find out new products development, processing and preservation techniques so that two underutilized fruits can get into our regular dietary habits. By doing so, we can enrich the fruit basket of the country.

No abstract

Fruits that are rich in nutrients and have antioxidant properties are essentially required for human health. These fruits are quite demanding to use pharmaceutically to produce natural drugs. Tripura, a Northeast state of India, is abundant in wild edible fruits, the nutritional values of which have not yet been fully explored. The nutrient composition and antioxidant properties of 06 (six) wild edible fruits viz. Wild orange (Citrus macroptera), Chinese lard (Hodgsonia macrocarpa Cogn.), Madhabilata (Stixis suaveolens Roxb. Pierre), Wild small black Jamun (Syzygium assamicum), Indian coffee plum (Flacourtia jangomas Lour. Raeusch), and Gamboge (Garcinia gummi-gutta (L.) Robs) were explored and are reported in this paper. All the observations were statistically analyzed and properly presented here. The study reveals that wild orange (220.75 mg/100 g) and Indian coffee plum (223.25 mg/100 g) are vitamin C-rich fruits. Madhabilata has high protein content (0.744%), whereas Gamboge yields an energetic fruit (124.92 Kcal/100 g). The energy parameter has a good correlation with ash (correlation coefficient (r) = 0.68), TSS (r = 0.62), and protein (r = 0.83). Nutrient minerals (mg/100 g), in general, are found quite high in wild orange (Na, 170.4; K, 55.40; Mg, 61.53; Zn, 6.85; Cu, 6.25). There is a good correlation between Na and K (r = 0.58). Antioxidant activity (81.15 μmol/g) and metal chelating capacity (MCC) (39.45 mg/mL) are high in wild orange, and they have an excellent correlation (r = 0.97). It has quite a high value of total phenolic content (TPC) (303.89 mg GAE/g) and total flavonoid content (TFC) (36.78 mg QE/g) as well. TPC and TFC have good correlations with antioxidant parameters (r = 0.81 with TPC and 0.86 with TFC). Chloride (4.35 mg/100 g), nitrate (0.639 μg/100 g), and As(III) (0.27 mg/100 g) contents are found high in Indian coffee plum, Madhabilata, and Wild black Jamun, respectively. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that total sugar, zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and copper (Cu) are the important indicators to be given emphasis while studying the nutritional value of these minor fruits. Moreover, the results would provide a baseline database for the nutrient profile of these fruits as well as enhance awareness among the masses regarding the value of the fruit, which enhances and conserves the biodiversity of the forest area of Tripura.