Nutritional Properties, Chemical Profiling, and Antioxidant Potential ofBaccharoides anthelmintica (L.) Moench Seeds from UttarakhandHimalaya

Introduction: Baccharoides anthelmintica (L.) Moench, synonym Vernonia anthelmintica, is an annual herb of the family Asteraceae, traditionally employed in Indigenous medical systems for the treatment of skin ailments, neurological disorders, renal and hepatic diseases, and cancer. The present study aimed to investigate the proximate composition, functional properties, phytochemical profile, phenolic constituents, and antioxidant potential of seed samples of B. anthelmintica collected from the Uttarakhand region, India. Methods: Proximate and functional properties were assessed following standard protocols. Antinutritional factors, namely tannins, saponins, oxalates, and phytates, were quantified. Amino acid profiling, mineral estimation, and phenolic analysis were performed using UHPLC. Ethanolic extracts were prepared by maceration and microwave-assisted extraction, whereas the essential oil was obtained by hydro-distillation. Chemical characterisation of extracts and oil was carried out using GC–MS. Antioxidant activity was determined employing ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays. Results: Analysis revealed that B. anthelmintica seeds were nutrient-dense, with saponins (1.20 ± 0.27 mg/g) constituting the prominent antinutrient. Amino acid content ranged between 0.06 ± 0.03% and 3.02 ± 0.03%, while mineral content varied from 0.03 ± 0.02% to 570.33 ± 2.22%. GC–MS analysis identified epoxytetradecen-1-ol acetate, linoleic acid, methyl octadecadienol, and elaidic acid as the major constituents; dimethyl chromene (34%) was the dominant constituent in the essential oil. Antioxidant assays of macerated extracts showed activities of 71.04–78.67% (ABTS), 55.10–65.29% (DPPH), and 56.52–61.86 µM AAE/g (FRAP), whereas microwave-assisted extracts exhibited comparatively higher activities: 73.28–94.68% (ABTS), 67.12–78.64% (DPPH), and 48.70–110.95 µM AAE/g (FRAP). Discussion: The study demonstrates that B. anthelmintica seeds possess significant nutritional and phytochemical properties, as well as strong antioxidant potential. Despite the presence of saponins as antinutritional factors, the abundance of bioactive compounds and minerals confers therapeutic importance. The extraction approach influenced bioactive recovery, with microwave-assisted methods yielding higher antioxidant activity than maceration. The predominance of dimethyl chromene in essential oil highlights its potential as a pharmaceutically relevant metabolite. Conclusion: Seeds of B. anthelmintica possess promising nutritional and pharmacological value, consistent with their ethnomedicinal applications. These findings contribute to the valorisation of indigenous plant resources, support sustainable agricultural practices, and advance the Sustainable Development Goals. Further studies are warranted to elucidate their therapeutic efficacy and mechanisms of action.