Food value analysis, phytochemical profiling, LC/MS analysis, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of methanolic extract of Flacourtia indica (Burm.f.) merr. fruits of lateritic West bengal

This study aims to evaluate the phytochemical profile, nutritional value and biological activities of methanolic extracts of Flacourtia indica fruits. The extract was analyzed for total phenolic content (34.72 ± 2.03 µg/mg), total flavonoid content (9.56 ± 1.21 µg/mg), β-carotene and lycopene content at 0.0615 ± 0.01 (µg/mg) and 0.0235 ± 0.005 (µg/mg) respectively. Nutritional analysis of the fruit revealed total moisture content (41.56 ± 1.62 g/100 g), protein content (1.46 ± 0.17 g/100g), carbohydrate content (21.78 ± 0.37 g/100 g), fibre content (2.61 ± 0.13 g/100 g), and lipid content (1.89 ± 0.04 g/100 g). Antioxidant activity showed as IC50 values was 124.65 ± 1.38 µg/ml in case of ABTS assay and 189.14 ± 1.08 µg/ml in case of DPPH assay. Antibacterial assays showed strong activity against Gram positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 96) and Gram negative bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC 542), while antifungal activity against Candida albicans (MTCC 317) is minimal. MIC values of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are 0.35 mg/ml and 0.32 mg/ml respectively, and 23 mg/ml in case of Candida albicans. LC/MS analysis identified nine compounds, with sparteine (anticonvulsant drug) being predominant. The results highlight the potential of Flacourtia indica as a rich source of natural antioxidants, high nutritional value and effective antimicrobials, offering potential applications in mitigating oxidative stress.