Antioxidant Properties and Polyphenolics of Berberis Lycium: An Unexplored Wild Edible Fruit Species of Himalaya

Berberis lycium Royle. ex DC. (Family Berberidaceae) an important wild growing shrub of Western Himalaya. Berries of the species consumed by local people of the Himalaya, however, had limited information on their nutritional characteristics. In the present investigation, polyphenolic antioxidants of berries were assessed in different solvents. Results revealed that fresh berries were better for bioactive constituents (e.g., phenolics, tannins, flavonoids, flavonols and proanthocynidins) and antioxidant activities as compared to dried berries. However, a significant (p < 0.05) impact of solvent extraction system on polyphenolics and antioxidant activity was observed. Better results were obtained in solvents with medium polarity (acetone, methanol and ethanol). Results indicated that both fresh and dried berries are good sources of various health benefit compounds and should be further utilized for preparation of nutritious food stuffs that can contribute towards reducing the malnutrition in the region.