NUTRITIONAL AND PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF WILD FRUIT OF BERBERIS BALUCHISTANICA – AN ENDEMIC SPECIES TO PAKISTAN

Abstract

Berberis baluchistanica Ahrendt is an endemic species to Pakistan belonged to Berberidaceae family. Its ripened fruit is collected by the natives and consumed as wild fruit. The present study aimed at evaluating nutritional and phytochemical potential of wild fruits of B. baluchistanica. The proximate analysis revealed that the fruit possessed highest proportion of dry matter (92%), followed by crude fibre (35%), moisture content (8%), crude protein (7%) and crude fat (6.3%), while total ash percentage was the least (3.5%). Mineral analysis indicated that iron (Fe) was found in the highest quantity (3.835%), followed by zinc (1.039%), copper (0.851%), manganese (0.764%), potassium (0.101%), while the sodium was in least amount. This study further determined five major phytochemical compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, tannins and saponins trough six solvent extracts. Alkaloids were detected by all solvents, except the aqueous extract. Phenols and tannins were detected by three solvent extracts. Flavonoids were isolated by two solvent extracts, while, saponins were only detected by the aqueous extract. Based on results, it can be concluded that the investigated fruit has great potential owing to substantial quantity of essential nutrients, minerals and phytochemicals and requires further detailed investigation prior to commercial production and introduction in the market.