Phytochemicals, proximate composition, and antioxidant properties of selected underutilized fruits in Sri Lanka

Abstract

This research focused on the phytochemical and proximate analysis, as well as the antioxidant properties of 10 underutilized fruit species found in Sri Lanka. The study qualitatively tested the presence of phytochemicals; specifically polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins, in various fruit extracts using methanol, water, and acetone as solvents. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were quantified using the Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride methods, respectively. Antioxidant activity was evaluated through 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assays. Additionally, the fruits were analyzed for vitamin C, fat, protein, carbohydrate, moisture, and ash content. The results indicated that the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, as well as antioxidant activities, varied based on the extraction solvent used, with acetone proving to be the most effective for extracting these compounds. Phoenix pussilla and Syzygium caryophyllatum exhibited the highest levels of total phenolics, flavonoids, and ascorbic acid. Moreover, P. pussilla, Antidesma ghaesembilla, Antidesma alexiteria, and S. caryophyllatum demonstrated significant antioxidant properties. The findings of this research highlight the potential of the 10 selected underutilized fruits and suggest enhancing their commercial value while supporting biodiversity conservation strategies.

Keywords

• Arecaceae
• Myrtaceae
• Phyllanthaceae
• Phytochemicals
• Underutilized fruit species

References

1. Abeysuriya, H.I., Bulugahapitiya, V.P., & Loku Pulukkuttige, J. (2020). Total vitamin C, ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid, antioxidant properties, and iron content of underutilized and commonly consumed fruits in Sri Lanka. International Journal of Food Science, 2020(1), 4783029. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/4783029
2. Aguilera, J.M., & Toledo, T. (2024). Wild berries and related wild small fruits as traditional healthy foods. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 64(16), 5603-5617. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2022.2156475
3. Akiyama, H., Fujii, K., Yamasaki, O., Oono, T., & Iwatsuki, K. (2001). Antibacterial action of several tannins against Staphylococcus aureus. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 48(4), 487-491. https://doi.org/10.1093/jac/48.4.487
4. Allaith, A. (2019). Antioxidants in date fruits and the extent of the variability of the total phenolic content: Review and Analysis. Antioxidants, 1 15. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.83851
5. Antolovich, M., Prenzler, P., Robards, K., & Ryan, D. (2000). Sample preparation in the determination of phenolic compounds in fruits. Analyst, 125(5), 989 1009. https://doi.org/10.1039/B000080I
6. Aruah, B.C., Uguru, M.I., & Oyiga, B.C. (2012). Genetic variability and inter-relationship among some Nigerian pumpkin accessions (Cucurbita spp.). International Journal of Plant Breeding, 6(1), 34-41.
7. Asami, D.K., Hong, Y.J., Barrett, D.M., & Mitchell, A.E. (2003). Comparison of the total phenolic and ascorbic acid content of freeze-dried and air-dried marionberry, strawberry, and corn grown using conventional, organic, and sustainable agricultural practices. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 51(5), 1237-1241. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf020635c
8. Bahramikia, S., Ardestani, A., & Yazdanparast, R. (2009). Protective effects of four Iranian medicinal plants against free radical-mediated protein oxidation. Food Chemistry, 115(1), 37-42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2008.11.054

9. Bashmil, Y.M., Ali, A., Bk, A., Dunshea, F.R., & Suleria, H.A. (2021). Screening and characterization of phenolic compounds from Australian grown bananas and their antioxidant capacity. Antioxidants, 10(10), 1521. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10101521
10. Benzie, I.F. (2003). Evolution of dietary antioxidants. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology, 136(1), 113 126. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1095-6433(02)00368-9
11. Benzie, I.F., & Strain, J.J. (1996). The ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) as a measure of “antioxidant power”: the FRAP assay. Analytical Biochemistry, 239(1), 70-76. https://doi.org/10.1006/abio.1996.0292
12. Bhandary, S.K., Bhat, V.S., Sharmila, K.P., & Bekal, M.P. (2012). Preliminary phytochemical screening of various extracts of Punica granatum peel, whole fruit and seeds. Journal of Health and Allied Sciences NU, 2(04), 34-38. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0040-1703609
13. Bhatt, I.D., Rawat, S., Badhani, A., & Rawal, R.S. (2017). Nutraceutical potential of selected wild edible fruits of the Indian Himalayan region. Food Chemistry, 215, 84 91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2016.07.143
14. Dassanayake, M.D. (1980a). A Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon Vol 2. Amerind Publishing Company.
15. Dassanayake, M.D. (1980b). A Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon Vol 7. Amerind Publishing Company.
16. Dassanayake, M.D. (1996). A Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon Vol 10. CRC Press.
17. Dassanayake, M.D. (2000). A Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon Vol 14. CRC Press.
18. de Souza, V.R., Pereira, P.A.P., da Silva, T.L.T., de Oliveira Lima, L.C., Pio, R., & Queiroz, F. (2014). Determination of the bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity and chemical composition of Brazilian blackberry, red raspberry, strawberry, blueberry and sweet cherry fruits. Food Chemistry, 156, 362-368. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.01.125
19. Devolli, A., Stafasani, M., Shahinasi, E., Dara, F., & Hamiti, H. (2021). Determination of vitamin C content in commercial fruit juices by volumetric and spectrophotometric methods. Journal of Hygienic Engineering and Design, 34(1), 124-131.
20. Dewi, Y.S., & Purwayantie, P. (2019). Phytochemical and antioxidant activity from fruit of Kulim (Scorodocarpus borneensis Becc.). In Proceeding of the 1st International Conference on Food and Agriculture (Vol. 2).
21. Fu, L., Xu, B.T., Xu, X.R., Gan, R.Y., Zhang, Y., Xia, E.Q., & Li, H.B. (2011). Antioxidant capacities and total phenolic contents of 62 fruits. Food Chemistry, 129(2), 345-350. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2011.04.079
22. Goli, A.H., Barzegar, M., & Sahari, M.A. (2005). Antioxidant activity and total phenolic compounds of pistachio (Pistachia vera) hull extracts. Food Chemistry, 92(3), 521-525. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2004.08.020
23. Güçlü-Üstündağ, Ö., & Mazza, G. (2007). Saponins: properties, applications and processing. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 47(3), 231 258. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408390600698197
24. Hegazy, A.K., Mohamed, A.A., Ali, S.I., Alghamdi, N.M., Abdel-Rahman, A.M., & Al-Sobeai, S. (2019). Chemical ingredients and antioxidant activities of underutilized wild fruits. Heliyon, 5(6). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e01874
25. Horszwald, A., & Andlauer, W. (2011). Characterisation of bioactive compounds in berry juices by traditional photometric and modern microplate methods. Journal of Berry Research, 1(4), 189-199. https://doi.org/10.3233/JBR-2011-020
26. Kalsum, H.U., & Mirfat, A.H.S. (2014). Proximate composition of Malaysian underutilised fruits. Journal of Tropical Agriculture and Food Science, 42(1), 63-72.
27. Lamien-Meda, A., Lamien, C.E., Compaoré, M.M., Meda, R.N., Kiendrebeogo, M., Zeba, B., Millogo, J.F. & Nacoulma, O.G. (2008). Polyphenol content and antioxidant activity of fourteen wild edible fruits from Burkina Faso. Molecules, 13(3), 581 594. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules13030581
28. Liu, R.H. (2013). Health-promoting components of fruits and vegetables in the diet. Advances in Nutrition, 4(3), 384S-392S. https://doi.org/10.3945/an.112.003517
29. Meena, V.S., Gora, J.S., Singh, A., Ram, C., Meena, N.K., Rouphael, Y., Basile, B. & Kumar, P. (2022). Underutilized fruit crops of Indian arid and semi-arid regions: Importance, conservation and utilization strategies. Horticulturae, 8(2), 171. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8020171
30. Moharram, H.A., & Youssef, M.M. (2014). Methods for determining the antioxidant activity: a review. Alexandria Journal of Food Science and Technology, 11(1), 31-42.
31. Myhrstad, M.C., & Wolk, A. (2023). Antioxidants and phytochemicals-a scoping review for Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023. Food & Nutrition Research, 67. https://doi.org/10.29219/fnr.v67.10324
32. Noipa, T., Srijaranai, S., Tuntulani, T., & Ngeontae, W. (2011). New approach for evaluation of the antioxidant capacity based on scavenging DPPH free radical in micelle systems. Food Research International, 44(3), 798-806. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2011.01.034
33. Proteggente, A.R., Pannala, A.S., Paganga, G., Buren, L.V., Wagner, E., Wiseman, S., Put, F.V., Dacombe, C., & Rice-Evans, C.A. (2002). The antioxidant activity of regularly consumed fruit and vegetables reflects their phenolic and vitamin C composition. Free Radical Research, 36(2), 217-233.
34. Rajashekar, C.B., Carey, E.E., Zhao, X., & Oh, M.M. (2009). Health-promoting phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables: Impact of abiotic stresses and crop production practices. Functional Plant Science and Biotechnology, 3(1), 30-38.
35. Re, R., Pellegrini, N., Proteggente, A., Pannala, A., Yang, M., & Rice-Evans, C. (1999). Antioxidant activity applying an improved ABTS radical cation decolorization assay. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 26(9-10), 1231-1237. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0891-5849(98)00315-3
36. Sánchez-Moreno, C. (2002). Methods used to evaluate the free radical scavenging activity in foods and biological systems. Food Science and Technology International, 8(3), 121-137. https://doi.org/10.1106/108201302026770
37. Sariburun, E., Şahin, S., Demir, C., Türkben, C., & Uylaşer, V. (2010). Phenolic content and antioxidant activity of raspberry and blackberry cultivars. Journal of Food Science, 75(4), C328-C335. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1750-3841.2010.01571.x
38. Silva, K.D.R.R., & Sirasa, M.S.F. (2018). Antioxidant properties of selected fruit cultivars grown in Sri Lanka. Food Chemistry, 238, 203 208. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2016.08.102
39. Silva, R.B., Silva-Junior, E.V., Rodrigues, L.C., Andrade, L.H., Silva, S.I.D., Harand, W., & Oliveira, A.F. (2015). A comparative study of nutritional composition and potential use of some underutilized tropical fruits of Arecaceae. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências, 87(03), 1701-1709. https://doi.org/10.1590/0001-3765201520140166
40. Singh, V., & Kumar, R. (2017). Study of phytochemical analysis and antioxidant activity of Allium sativum of Bundelkhand region. International Journal of Life-Sciences Scientific Research, 3(6), 1451-1458. https://doi.org/10.21276/ijlssr.2017.3.6.4
41. Soong, Y.Y., & Barlow, P.J. (2004). Antioxidant activity and phenolic content of selected fruit seeds. Food Chemistry, 88(3), 411-417. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2004.02.003
42. Stadlmayr, B., Charrondière, U.R., Eisenwagen, S., Jamnadass, R., & Kehlenbeck, K. (2013). Nutrient composition of selected indigenous fruits from sub‐Saharan Africa. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 93(11), 2627-2636. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.6196
43. Untalan, M.K.C., Perez, I.F.R., Reyes, G.H., Escalona, K.M.H., De Guzman, L.D., & Lummangles, R.F.L. (2015). Proximate analysis and antioxidant properties of selected fruits in Batangas. Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 3(4), 41-45.
44. Vasco, C., Ruales, J., & Kamal-Eldin, A. (2008). Total phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacities of major fruits from Ecuador. Food Chemistry, 111(4), 816 823. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2008.04.054
45. Wathsara, H.P.T., Weeratunge, H.D., Mubarak, M.N.A., Godakumbura, P.I., & Ranasinghe, P. (2020). In vitro antioxidant and antidiabetic potentials of Syzygium caryophyllatum L. Alston. Evidence‐Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2020(1), 9529042. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/9529042