Morphometric and phytochemical analysis of Ximenia americana L. fruits harvested from Amrabad Tiger Reserve Forest of India

The present investigation involved phytochemical screening of wild plum to evaluate its phytoconstituents. The fruits exhibited a total phenolic content of 1.24 mg/100 g (as gallic acid equivalent) and a total flavonoid content of 79.27 mg/100 g (as quercetin equivalent). The average fruit weight was 7.12 g, ranging from 6.55 to 7.83 g. the weights of the peel, pulp, pit and seed were 3.51 g, 1.31 g, 0.30 g and 0.92 g respectively. The average fruit length was 23.26 mm, while pulp thickness and peel thickness measured 0.21 mm and 2.40 mm respectively. Pit thickness was recorded at 0.51 mm. The equatorial, polar, apical and basal diameters of fruits were 20.72 mm, 21.52 mm, 16.83 mm and 17.92 mm respectively. The pulp color parameters included lightness (L*) value of 44.40, a* value of 22.93 and b* value of 36.91. The leaf area was calculated to be 8.99 cm², with a length of 3.28 cm and a width of 3.36 cm, resulting in a leaf length-to-width ratio of 0.97. Fruit extract concentration of 10, 30 and 50 μg showed free radical scavenging activities of 2.82 %, 4.08 % and 5.38 %. About 38 secondary metabolites were identified in methanolic extract of fruits, including phenols, alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, lignans, terpenoids, naphthoquinones, saponins, hydrolyzable tannins and steroids. Hepato-protective and antiviral properties, as well as neuroprotective properties, were demonstrated by the methyl ester 3,4-di-o-caffeoylquinic acid, iridoid glycosides like 6-o-trans-feruloylgenipin gentiobioside, 10-(6-o-trans sinapoylglucopyranosyl) gardendiol, as well as a neo chlorogenic acid 3-caffeoyl quinic acid, respectively. Understanding these bioactive benefits highlights the potential for commercial cultivation of wild plum, moving beyond traditional wild collection to meet the requirements of the country.