Nutritional evaluation, phytochemical makeup, antibacterial and antioxidant properties of wild plants utilized as food by the Gaddis-a tribal tribe in the Western Himalayas

Abstract

Nowadays, it is generally accepted that medicinal plants play a crucial role in traditional healthcare operations, providing hints to new research fields and in biodiversity protection. However, there is a lack of information on the medicinal uses of plants in many of the interior Himalayan regions. In light of this, the current investigation was initiated in the tribally dominant western Himalayan hinterland. The current study examined five underutilized wild edible plants, namely, Allium rubellum, Berberis chitria, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Stellaria aquatica, and Rheum emodi, for their nutritional qualities, phytochemical analysis, antioxidant activity, and antibacterial activity, which are consumed as food by the Gaddi community of the Bharmour region of the Chamba District, Himachal Pradesh. In this study, the nutritional makeup of these plants was examined in terms of their carbohydrate, protein, sodium, potassium, crude fiber, and fat content. As compared to other investigated species, A. rubellum has the highest nutritional content: carbohydrate (6.93 mg/g), protein (10.18 mg/g), sodium (3.21 mg/g), potassium (16.32 mg/g), and fiber (6.46%). In addition, phenols, amino acids, tannins, terpenoids, carotenoids, and phytate were found to be the least significant phytochemicals in R. emodi, i.e., 4.81 mg/g, 0.594 mg/g, 2.204 mg/g, 1.482 mg/g, 156 µg/g, and 0.680%, respectively. The methanolic extract of these wild edible plants showed significant free radical scavenging activity by using ABTS and DPPH assays. Moreover, the antibacterial activity of the methanolic extract of studied plants based on the present study suggested that R. emodi exhibits a maximum zone of inhibition of 20.8 mm against Escherichia coli, whereas S. aquatica showed a maximum inhibition zone of 19.2 mm against S. aureus. The findings of this study validated that these wild edible plants are an alternate source of medicine and are an abundant source of various phytochemicals like protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. These compositions offer dietary benefits, food security, health benefits, and therapeutic advantages. Hence, in the current study, it was analyzed that there is an urgent need for documentation, conservation, characterization, and evaluation of these underutilized plants for their therapeutic purpose and nutritional supplements.

Salinity stress improves antioxidant potential by modulating physio-biochemical responses in Moringa oleifera Lam.

“…In this capacity, these compounds safeguard chloroplast and prevent further production of harmful singlet oxygen 122 , 123 . A variety of such phenolic compounds including gallic acid, catechin, vanillin, quercetin, kaempferol, naringin, and rutin and other antioxidants like ascorbic acid, carotene, and isothiocyanates, has been found in moringa 72 , 87 , 124 , 125 . A strong correlation of these compounds with effectively higher radical scavenging (DPPH and ABTS) and reducing power (FRAP and TAC) capacities indicating their major role in antioxidant defense of moringa, as found in Suaeda monaica , Alhagi maurorum , and Dalbergia latifolia 126 , 127 .…”

Plant Microbiome Engineering: Hopes or Hypes

“…Rhizosphere microbiomes nurture diverse, complex, and dynamic microbial communities executing vital ecosystem processes, thus characterizing the hot spots of the earth [ 1 ]. Plants and microbes are coevolved and the significant of plant-associated microorganisms in plant growth, development, nutrient acquisition, protection and increase tolerance against biotic and abiotic stresses [ 8 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 ] are unquestioned and has been well studied under the concept of holobiont [ 1 , 77 ]. Root surfaces tightly adhere to the rhizosphere’s soil interface that harbors these plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) [ 28 , 78 ].…”

“…To meet the population’s expected demand, agricultural productivity needs to be increased by up to 70% in food, fiber, and bioenergy. Green plants are the major and substantial source of food for every living organism on earth [ 1 ]. These plants are sessile and have been continuously exposed to the barrage of abiotic and biotic attackers, constantly struggling for their survival by evolving ample mechanisms to respond to and alleviate their negative impacts [ 2 ].…”

“…In recent years, substantial efforts have been made to engineer the plant microbiome by deploying an array of highly advanced technologies and strategies, including rhizosphere microbiome (bacterial competitiveness engineering) [ 1 ], synthetic microbiome (genetically engineered microbes inoculation to host plant) [ 23 ] in situ microbiome (manipulation of the native microbial community in their native context) [ 24 ], and plant mycobiome (the optimization and improvement of beneficial plant-fungal interactions) [ 25 ]. However, on the other hand, all the potential biotic and abiotic perturbations that substantially influence or hinder their role are intentionally or unintentionally ignored.…”

Application of Zinc, Iron and Boron Enhances Productivity and Grain Biofortification of Mungbean

“…Zn foliar application at flowering and grain filling enhanced pod's number, pod's weight, seeds per pod, biological yield, 100-seed weight, and seed yield as compared to control [27]. Negative effects of Zn deficiency in humans are pronounced on immunity, bones, skin, brain and reproductive system [28] causing several disorders including cancer, diarrhea, and pneumonia [29]. Humans consuming Zn deficient food products may suffer from Zn deficiency-related health issues such as poor birth outcome, susceptibility to diseases, stunted growth, enhanced mortality, poor immune system and brain functioning [30,31].…”