Nutraceutical, phytochemical, and antioxidant activities of selected wild edible fruits as natural foods

Adugna Nigatu Alene; Alebel Abebaw Teshager; Desalegn Adisu Kassie; Gietu Yirga Abate; Moges Admasie Mengstie; Shiferaw Dessie Mekonnen; Smegnew Moges Mintesinot; Tadele Mihret Kindie

doi:10.20372/pjet.v1i1.1169

Adugna Nigatu Alene Faculty of Chemical and Food Engineering, Bahir Dar Institute of Technology-Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, P.O.Box 26, Ethiopia
Alebel Abebaw Teshager Faculty of Chemical and Food Engineering, Bahir Dar Institute of Technology, Bahir Dar University, P.O. Box 26, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
Desalegn Adisu Kassie Faculty of Chemical and Food Engineering, Bahir Dar Institute of Technology-Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, P.O.Box 26, Ethiopia
Gietu Yirga Abate Department of Chemistry, Woldia University, Woldia, P.O.Box 400, Ethiopia
Moges Admasie Mengstie Department of Industrial Chemistry, Collage of Science, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, P.O.Box 79, Ethiopia
Shiferaw Dessie Mekonnen Department of Chemistry, Woldia University, Woldia, P.O.Box 400, Ethiopia
Smegnew Moges Mintesinot Faculty of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Bahir Dar Institute of Technology-Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, P.O.Box 26, Ethiopia
Tadele Mihret Kindie Faculty of Chemical and Food Engineering, Bahir Dar Institute of Technology-Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, P.O.Box 26, Ethiopia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.20372/pjet.v1i1.1169

Keywords: Wild edible fruits; Nutraceuticals; Phytochemicals; Antioxidant activity, Natural foods

Abstract

The present study aimed to analyze the nutritional properties, phytochemicals content and antioxidant activities of four wild edible fruits such as Ishe (Mimusops kummel Bruce ex A.DC), Kega (Rosa abyssinica R.Br.), Kurkura (Ziziphus spina-christi L. Desf.), and Lenkuata (Grewia ferruginea Hochst. ex A) that are commonly consumed as natural food sources. The physicochemical composition and phytochemical screening analysis were evaluated. Functional groups present in all fruits were identified using FTIR spectroscopy. Polyphenols such as total phenolic content (61 Â± 1.02 to 98.3 Â± 0.44 mg GE/100g of fruit paste) and total flavonoids content (24.1 Â± 0.10 to 87.1 Â± 0.44 mg QE/100g of fruit paste) in fruits were analyzed. Free radical scavenging activity (DPPH assay) in terms of half maximal inhibitory concentration, IC50% (108.31 to 401.7 Âµg/mL of fruits paste) was analyzed. Antioxidant potential, reducing and stabilizing ability were also confirmed via synthesis of silver nanoparticles rationalized by the involvement of phytochemicals. Therefore, fruits of this study showed important nutritional, phytochemical, and antioxidant properties with biological interest, and can be a potential source of functional ingredients and nutraceuticals.