Pharmaceutical potential of traditionally fermented <i>Bambusa balcooa</i> shoots from Assam: a GC-MS-based profiling of bioactive compounds

This study explored the bioactive compounds and pharmaceutical potential of traditionally fermented <i>Bambusa balcooa</i> shoots from Assam, India, using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Young shoots were harvested and fermented for 10-15 days following indigenous practices. GC-MS analysis identified 28 volatile bioactive compounds, including ketones (47.35%), esters (26.08%), and sesquiterpenes (10.04%), with 2-undecanone (36.85%) and dodecanoic acid, ethenyl ester (12.41%) as dominant constituents. Nine compounds were evaluated for their pharmaceutical activities. Notably, 2-undecanone and nerolidol exhibited strong antimicrobial and anticancer effects, while n-hexadecanoic acid showed potent antitumour and immune-boosting properties. Compared with other fermented bamboo shoots from Northeast India, the higher levels of nerolidol and undecanone in <i>B. balcooa</i> indicate a stronger potential for anticancer and antiparasitic effects, based on literature evidence. This research underscores the therapeutic potential of fermented <i>Bambusa balcooa</i> shoots as functional foods rooted in Assam's ethnic cuisine, advocating their incorporation into pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.