Changes in nutritional, physicochemical, phytochemical composition and antioxidant potential of Mahonia nepalensis fruits during ripening

The Himalayan region supports a rich diversity of edible fruit species that can cope with global food and nutritional security by providing dietary diversity, genetic backup for commercial species and economic sustainability. Among these, Mahonia nepalensis DC. (Family Berberidaceae) is a medicinally important plant species of Himalaya with delicious edible berry fruits. Fruits of the species remain unexplored, however, their content of nutrients and phytochemicals and antioxidant potential changed with the ripening process. The current study assessed variations in nutritional, physicochemical, and phytochemical composition and antioxidant potential during the four ripening stages. A significant (p < .05) and sequential change in morphological (length, diameter, fresh weight, and volume), physicochemical (juice, juice pH, pomace, moisture, and juice pomace ratio), nutritive phytochemicals (riboflavin, lycopene, β-carotene, and total carotenoids), and antioxidant potential of the species were observed among the ripening stages. Total phenolic, flavonoid, and flavonol content exhibited an initial decrease followed by a consistent increase; however, tannin content decreased with the ripening process. Phenolic content identified in fruits exhibited order of concentration as chlorogenic acid > caffeic acid > syringic acid > ferulic acid > p-coumaric acid, and among these, chlorogenic acid decreased significantly (p < .05) with fruit ripening. Higher total phenolic, flavonoid, flavonol, and tannin contents and antioxidant activity in acidified methanolic extract than in methanolic extract indicated the presence of considerable content of glycosides as compared to aglycones in fruits. Presence of high nutritive phytochemicals, antioxidant potential, optimized extraction solvent, suitable harvesting stage in the species might be utilized as alternative dietary resources, potential nutraceutical and post-harvest management of Mahonia nepalensis berries.