Antioxidant Profiles and Bioactive Compounds in Underutilized Fruits
Summary
Underutilized fruits represent a largely untapped reservoir of health-promoting phytochemicals, including phenolic compounds, flavonoids, carotenoids and various vitamins. These bioactive constituents confer potent antioxidant activities that counteract oxidative stress, a key driver of chronic disease. Beyond classical nutrients, many of these fruits harbour unique secondary metabolites such as tannins, anthocyanins and alkaloids, which exhibit anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and anticancer properties. Characterisation of antioxidant profiles involves both qualitative identification by chromatography and spectrometry and quantitative assessment via assays such as DPPH radical scavenging and FRAP. Regional studies have revealed that peels and seed fractions often concentrate higher levels of antioxidants than pulps, suggesting value-added applications in nutraceuticals and functional foods. As climate change and biodiversity loss threaten conventional crops, integration of these neglected species into food systems can bolster nutritional security, support rural livelihoods and diversify agricultural landscapes globally.
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Antioxidant Profiles and Bioactive Compounds in Underutilized Fruits publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in antioxidant profiles and bioactive compounds in underutilized fruits across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Phenolic compounds: Plant secondary metabolites bearing one or more hydroxyl groups on aromatic rings, contributing to free-radical scavenging.
Flavonoids: Subclass of polyphenols with a C6–C3–C6 backbone, known for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions.
Carotenoids: Lipophilic tetraterpene pigments acting as antioxidants and vitamin A precursors.
DPPH assay: Method employing the stable radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl to measure free-radical scavenging capacity.
FRAP assay: Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power assay quantifying reduction of Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺ by antioxidants under acidic conditions.
Tocopherols: Fat-soluble forms of vitamin E that protect lipids from peroxidation and contribute to antioxidant defence.
References
- Bioactive Compounds and Health-Promoting Properties of Elephant Apple (Dillenia indica L.): A Comprehensive Review. Foods (2023).
- Nutritional Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Selected Underutilized Fruits Grown in Sri Lanka. Agronomy (2022).
- Nutritional Composition and In Vitro Antioxidant Activities of Seed Kernel and Seed Oil of Balanites roxburghii: An Underutilized Species. Horticulturae (2022).
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