Molecular Authentication and Phytochemical Evaluation of Indigenous Germplasm of Genus <i>Physalis</i> for Sustainable Utilization

<i>Physalis</i> species are used as an indigenous food and medicine in Kenya. However, species identification and an analysis of the health-promoting bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties are lacking. In this study, we report the molecular identification and mineral and phytochemical profiling of wild <i>Physalis</i> accessions. Leaf samples of 10 <i>Physalis</i> accessions were collected and used for species identification using nuclear ITS2 and plastid <i>rbcL</i> barcodes. Ripe fruits were collected from the same accessions and analyzed for mineral, total phenolic, tannin, and flavonoid contents, and antioxidant activities. The <i>Physalis</i> species were discriminated based on the ITS2 barcode and identified as <i>Physalis purpurea</i>. The genetic diversity, distance, and polymorphism of the ITS2 region of <i>Physalis</i> accessions were high due to the high rate of singleton and parsimony mutations. No genetic diversity, distance, or polymorphism was observed based on the <i>rbcL</i> barcode. The mineral content was significantly different (<i>p</i> < 0.05) for calcium, zinc, nickel, copper, and lithium among the <i>Physalis</i> accessions. No significant variation (<i>p</i> > 0.05) was found for phenolic acids or flavonoids, but the tannic acid content varied significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05). DPPH free radical scavenging varied significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) among <i>Physalis</i> accessions. In conclusion, nuclear ITS2 was used to successfully identify the <i>Physalis</i> species of all the accessions as <i>Physalis purpurea</i>. The present study confirmed that <i>Physalis purpurea</i> has a significantly high mineral and phytochemical content and antioxidant activity. The findings from this study can be used to facilitate exploitation of <i>Physalis purpurea</i> in genetic breeding, their application in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and nutritional value as well as conservation and sustainable use.