Polyphenolics, Nutrients and Antioxidant Activity of Gaultheria trichophylla Royle: A High Value Wild Edible Plant of Trans Himalaya

Abstract

Gaultheria trichophylla Royle (family-Ericaceae) is a high value wild edible plant species of Trans Himalaya and used for various ailments in traditional medicinal systems. The present study focusing on to analyzed biochemical attributes of G. trichophylla fruits (berries) across attitudinally diverse sampling sites. The polyphenolics, nutrients and antioxidant activity have shown a strong positive correlation (p<0.05) with altitude. Total phenolics have showed significant (p<0.05) relationship with antioxidant activity (ABTS: r2=-0.8940.799; DPPH: r2=0.9550.912; FRAP activity: r2=0.9310.867) and nutrients (Sodium: r2=0.9500.573; Potassium: r2=0.7570.903; carbohydrate: r2=0.9290.862) respectively. Overall, G. trichophylla was found potential source of natural antioxidant compounds with high nutritious value and large scale plantation of this species will help in rural development programs across Trans Himalayan villages.