Unravelling the fruit quality, bioactive potential and genetic insights of Indian coffee plum [Flacourtia jangomas (Lour.)Raeusch.] plants under Terai natural vegetation of West Bengal

The present study aimed to unveil the morpho-biochemical characters of fruits, the presence of bioactive compounds and genetic diversity of different Indian coffee plum plants selected from the natural vegetation of the Terai region of West Bengal during the years 2022-23 and 2023-24. A wide array of variationin fruit morphology and quality aspects concerning fruit length (14.7 to 22.4 cm), fruit diameter (17.1 to 23.7 cm), fruit weight (4.37 to 7.82 g), number of seeds (5.8 to 11.1), TSS (6.2 to 10.9ºBrix), acidity (0.40 to 0.52 %), reducing sugar (4.02 to 5.80 %) and ascorbic acid content (100.5 to 156.7 mg/100g)wasnoticed. Fruits of selected plants also possessed comprehensive variation in antioxidants (63.9 to 88.7 % of DPPH inhibition), total phenols (145.7 to 278.6 µgGAE/g), flavonoids (85.1 to 163.9 mgQE/g), anthocyanin content (33.5 to 56.4 µg/100g) and carotenoid content (1.135 to 1.6114 mg/100 g). A positive correlation was noted among fruit size, quality parameters such as TSS, acidity and ascorbic acid content.Ascorbic acid content was foundto be positively correlated with fruit size, total sugar, antioxidant activity, phenol, flavonoid and carotenoids. A remarkable negative correlation was also noted between the number of fruits per cluster and the number of seeds per fruit, with other parameters. The entire population of Indian coffee plumplantsrepresented three major clusters, comprising 8, 3 and 9 different plants, based on three different parameter clusters, to create such variation. ICPG-J5 is ideal for the commercial fresh fruit market due to its large,heavier fruit and excellent biochemical properties, ascorbic acidand strong antioxidant activity. ICPG-J7 stands out for processing purposes, as it has the largest fruit size, highest weight and a balanced sweet-tangy profile. ICPG-J2 is the best choice for functional food applications, rich in flavonoids, anthocyanins and strong antioxidant properties, making it valuable for health-focused products.