Variation in Chemical Constituents and Antioxidant Activity in Yellow Himalayan (R ubus ellipticus  Smith) and Hill Raspberry (R ubus niveus  Thunb.)

Abstract

Phytochemicals and antioxidant activity in the fruits of Rubus ellipticus and Rubus niveus were studied. A significant variation (P < 0.05) in total phenolics, flavonoids, monomeric anthocyanins, ascorbic acid and β-carotene content among genotypes of R. ellipticus was observed. Total phenolics ranged from 2.56 to 3.28 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/gram (g) fresh weight (fw) for R. ellipticus and 3.21 mg GAE/g fw for R. niveus. Gallic acid, catechin, chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid were the major phenolic compounds identified by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Antioxidant activity measured by three in vitro assays (i.e., ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activity and ferricreducing antioxidant power) demonstrated the utility of both the species as a source of natural antioxidants. Furthermore, the results of this study may provide baseline data for future breeding programs for variety improvement. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSRubus ellipticus and Rubus niveus are important wild edible fruits commonly consumed as food and serve as important ingredients in traditional medicine in Asia. These species are directly collected from wild for consumption. The assessment of the antioxidant properties (ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activity and ferric-reducing antioxidant potential), phenolic content and composition of both the species may provide possible role against health benefits and future applications in functional foods and nutraceutical development. Furthermore, the variation in antioxidant properties, phenolic content and other phytochemical composition in different plants may provide baseline data for future breeding programs for variety improvement.

Geographical and Environmental Variation in Chemical Constituents and Antioxidant Properties inRoscoea proceraWall

“…The mean activity observed in ABTS assay was 1.47 mM AAE /100 g dw. These results are in agreement with that in Hedychium spicatum and Valeriana jatamansi where ABTS values were significantly higher than the DPPH values using same method (Rawat et al 2011;Badhani et al 2015). The average value in DPPH assay was 0.75 mM AAE/100 g dw.…”

“…Previously, total phenolic and flavonoid content were found to be 7.10 6 0.11 and 6.10 6 0.05% in methanolic extract of the species, which is higher than the present study (Mishra et al 2015). Variation in these constituents can be used for breeding programmes as the success of any breeding program depends on identifying the genetic variation of traits and knowledge of the impact of environmental parameters on their expression (Badhani et al 2015). While analysing the phenolic content in different habitat types, populations growing under oak-mix forest (2.98 mg GAE/g dw) and open grassy land (2.99 mg GAE/g dw) showed comparatively higher total phenolic content than oak and pine forest (Fig.…”

“…Mean value of all the populations combined was found to be 2.91 mg GAE/g dw. Variation in these constituents can be used for breeding programmes as the success of any breeding program depends on identifying the genetic variation of traits and knowledge of the impact of environmental parameters on their expression (Badhani et al 2015). Also, the highest level of total flavonoid content (expressed in QE/g dw) was found in Suakholi (5.52 mg) and Bhowali (5.51 mg) population, while it was lowest in population of Dol (3.87 mg).…”

“…It must be indicative that variation in antioxidant activity in relation to phenolic content has been reported in many medicinal herbs such as Hedychium spicatum, Acorus calamus, Valeriana jatamansi, and so forth collected from diverse altitude and geographic conditions along with various environmental and habitat conditions (Rawat et al 2011;Jugran et al 2013;Bahukhandi et al 2014;Badhani et al 2015). Besides genetic makeup, the different constituents and the associated antioxidant activities of medicinal plants is influenced by environmental conditions such as sunlight, growing temperature and season, altitude, maturity at harvest, stress, and so forth (Rainwater et al 1996;Perez-Tallo et al 2001;Kirakosyan et al 2004;Bhatt et al 2008).…”

Polyphenolics, Nutrients and Antioxidant Activity of Gaultheria trichophylla Royle: A High Value Wild Edible Plant of Trans Himalaya

“…6 Studies have suggested that fruits are rich source of phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, anthocyanins, vitamins and antioxidants, and their regular consumption associated with reducing the risk of cancer, cardiovascular syndrome, aging and neurodegenerative diseases. 7,8 Gaultheria trichophylla Royle (family-Ericaceae), a high value wild edible plant, is decumbent, mat-forming aromatic shrub in higher altitude zone around 3200-5300 m asl. Species is widely distributed across the Trans Himalayan zones of India, China, Nepal, and Pakistan.…”