Free Radical Scavenging Property and Nutraceutical Evaluation of Rubus niveus Fruit of Kumaun Himalayan Region, Uttarakhand

Abstract

Rubus niveus (Kala Hisalu) is an economically value-added wild edible berry of the Kumaun Himalayan region. Human beings consume it as a vital source of nutraceuticals leading to increase its additional value. Present study is focused on the comparative analysis of phytoconstituents, free radical scavenging activity and nutrient and anti-nutritional composition of R. niveus berries in two different solvent system i.e. ethanol and water. The in vitro free radical scavenging activity has been investigated by three different assays i.e. DPPH, H2O2 and NO and propounded that ethanolic extracts consist of more active constituents to scavenge different stable and generated radicals than aqueous extracts. This analysis is also supported by the phytochemical studies (estimation of phenols, flavonoids and tannins). The correlation, regression and one way ANOVA analysis also statistically support the results. A positive correlation was found in between phyto- constituent and radical scavenging activity. The results obtained from this investigation revealed out that these are equally competent and could be recommended as dietary supplements or as nutraceuticals.