Nutrient profile and value addition of star gooseberry (Phyllanthus acidus L.)

Abstract

Star gooseberry is scientifically known as Phyllanthus acidus and belongs to the family Phyllanthaceae. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the nutritional qualities, therapeutic potential and development of RTS beverages from star gooseberry. The fruits are seasonal and perishable in nature due to high moisture content. Fresh star gooseberry was found to have a high moisture content (91.8%), indicating its juiciness. The fruit contains notable amounts of vitamin C (35.2 mg/100g) and beta-carotene (1815.51 μg/100g), enhancing its antioxidant potential. It also provides carbohydrates (6.38 g/100g), protein (0.47 g/100g), fat (0.27 g/100g), and fibre (1.21 g/100g), with a total ash content (0.84%) pointing to essential minerals. Potassium (231 mg/100g) was identified as the most abundant mineral, followed by sodium (23 mg/100g), phosphorus (20.2 mg/100g), calcium (9.21 mg/100g), and iron (0.76 mg/100g), suggesting the fruit’s contribution to essential mineral intake. Bioavailability studies confirmed the efficient absorption of minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and iron. The antioxidant properties of star gooseberry were assessed through its phenolic content (161.60 μg GAE/mg) and flavonoid content (26.20 μg QE/mg). Star gooseberry contains some anti-nutritional factors, such as phytates (8.83 mg/g), oxalates (0.93 mg/g), and tannins (0.093 TAE μg/mg). These compounds can interfere with nutrient absorption.The fruits holds potential for medicinal use due to its bioactive compounds, such as kaempferol, quercetin, gallic acid, rutin, and caffeic acid. These compounds show therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer effects. The GC-MS analysis identified 11 volatile compounds, contributing to the fruit’s distinctive aroma and medicinal properties. The in silico molecular docking and ADMET analysis suggest that compounds like quercetin, luteolin, and myricitrin show strong binding affinities with enzymes such as α-amylase and α-glucosidase, indicating their potential for anti-diabetic activity. These compounds may help manage blood sugar levels by inhibiting carbohydrate breakdown, thus supporting diabetes management. This study explores the anti-inflammatory potential of bioactive compounds from star gooseberry, revealing that quercetin, kaempferitrin, and luteolin exhibit strong binding to COX-2 and IL-6, suggesting significant anti-inflammatory effects. Kaempferitrin was identified as the most potent COX-2 inhibitor. Overall, these compounds highlight star gooseberry's therapeutic potential in inflammation management. The in vitro antioxidant activity was assessed using various assays, such as DPPH, ABTS, and hydroxyl radical scavenging, revealing significant antioxidant potential. The Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) of star gooseberry was 75.7l mg AAE/g, confirming its strong radical scavenging capacity. For preparing RTS beverages from fresh star gooseberry, the juice was clarified and blended with pineapple and mango juices in varying proportions. Sensory evaluation using a 9-point hedonic scale revealed that T5 (60% star gooseberry juice + 40% pineapple juice) from Set 1 and T6 from set 2 (50 % star gooseberry juice + 50% mango juice) received the highest sensory scores for appearance, colour, flavour, texture, and overall acceptability. The shelf life for RTS beverages were 7 days in ambient conditions and one month in refrigerated conditions. The study found that T5 from set 1 and T6 from set 2 had the highest sensory scores during storage, particularly under refrigeration. Additionally, cost analysis revealed that T5 (60% star gooseberry juice + 40% pineapple juice) had the lowest production cost at ₹50/L, while T6 had the highest cost at ₹62/L. Star gooseberry shows considerable potential as a nutraceutical with its impressive nutritional profile, high anti-oxidant activity and bioactive compounds. Its medicinal properties such as anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic effects, make it a promising candidate for therapeutic applications. The study also demonstrated the viability of processing star gooseberry into a Ready to Serve (RTS) beverage. Despite its promising nutritional and medicinal properties, the full scope of star gooseberry (Phyllanthus acidus) remains underutilized, highlighting the need for further research and innovation to harness its value in nutraceutical and functional food development.