Nutritional profiling, bioactive phytochemicals, and functional food components of wild edible fruits from the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot

Rody Ngurthankhumi; Tridip Kumar Hazarika; Zothansiama; Esther Lalruatsangi; Lalramchhana; Lalnunzawma; Panthor Debbarma; G Karunakaran

doi:10.1038/s41598-026-55985-w

Nutritional profiling, bioactive phytochemicals, and functional food components of wild edible fruits from the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot

Sci Rep. 2026 Jun 3. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-55985-w. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Rody Ngurthankhumi¹, Tridip Kumar Hazarika², Zothansiama³, Esther Lalruatsangi⁴, Lalramchhana¹, Lalnunzawma¹, Panthor Debbarma¹, G Karunakaran⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Horticulture, Aromatic and Medicinal Plants, Mizoram University, Aizawl, Mizoram, India.
² Department of Horticulture, Aromatic and Medicinal Plants, Mizoram University, Aizawl, Mizoram, India. tridip28@gmail.com.
³ Department of Zoology, Mizoram University, Aizawl, Mizoram, India.
⁴ Department of Fruit Science, College of Horticulture, Central Agricultural University, Thenzawl, Mizoram, India.
⁵ Division of Fruit Crops, ICAR- Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta Lake Post, Bengaluru, India.

PMID: 42230950
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-55985-w

Abstract

Northeast India constitutes a substantial portion of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot and harbours a wide array of wild edible fruits. These fruits significantly contribute to the nutritional security, traditional medicine, and sustainability of the region's indigenous populations. Though they hold ethno medicinal importance and are widely used traditionally, detailed information on nutritional properties, bioactive compounds, and functional food elements is quite limited. Accordingly, this study has been conducted to evaluate the nutritional profile, bioactive phytochemicals, mineral content, and functional food attributes of seven chosen wild edible fruits from Mizoram, north-east India, specifically Antidesma bunius, Carallia brachiata, Emblica officinalis, Embelia subcoriacea, Elaeocarpus lanceifolius, Spondias pinnata, and Terminalia chebula. Standard analytical methods were utilized to assess proximate composition, vitamins, dietary fiber components, pigments, phytochemical constituents, and mineral elements. Significant differences were noted among the species, highlighting the extraordinary diversity present in the fruits analyzed. Terminalia chebula reported high concentrations of carotenoids, alkaloids, carbohydrates, proteins, and energy value, as well as minerals such as potassium and cobalt. Carallia brachiata exhibited elevated levels of chlorophyll, anthocyanin, and saponin, along with significant amounts of nitrogen, magnesium, and manganese. Antidesma bunius exhibited notable amounts of vitamin E, dietary fiber, lignin, and minerals such as calcium, copper, and iron. At the same time, Emblica officinalis displayed particularly elevated levels of vitamin C, total sugars, dry matter, and zinc. The research offers novel comparative perspectives on the nutritional and phytochemical abundance of wild edible fruits from the Indo-Burma hotspot, emphasizing their potential as significant sources of natural bioactive substances and health-enhancing functional foods. These recognized nutritionally enhanced species could be valuable options for future functional food innovation and agricultural enhancement initiatives. The result highlights the significance of preserving wild edible fruit species for dietary diversification and sustainable food systems. Future investigations focusing on metabolomic profiling and the clinical validation of these bioactive compounds will further reveal their therapeutic and industrial potential.

Keywords: Biodiversity hotspot; Functional foods; Mizoram; Nutritional composition; Wild edible fruits.