HPLC-based profi–ling of free and total amino acids in wild edible fruits of north–eastern India

Abstract This study aims to evaluate the nutritional significance of selected wild edible fruits from North-Eastern India through quantitative profiling of their free and total amino acid contents, thereby highlighting their potential as functional foods and natural protein supplements. Five wild edible fruit species viz. Viburnum foetidum, Solanum gilo, Meyna laxiflora, Docynia indica, and Flacourtia jangomas, were analyzed for 19 amino acids using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Both free and hydrolyzed (total) amino acid fractions were extracted and quantified, and the results were expressed in µg/100 mg of sample. The study revealed substantial variation in amino acid content among the species. F. jangomas recorded the highest total amino acid content (1605.60 µg/100 mg), with exceptionally high levels of glutamine (319.17 µg/100 mg), alanine (213.87 µg/100 mg) and threonine (176.59 µg/100 mg). V. foetidum also exhibited high total amino acid content (1260.54 µg/100 mg), particularly glutamic acid, lysine, and phenylalanine. In contrast, M. laxiflora and D. indica showed relatively lower concentrations. The presence of both essential and non-essential amino acids in significant amounts underscores the nutritional richness of these fruits. This is one of the first comparative studies to apply HPLC for the dual profiling of free and total amino acids in wild edible fruits of North-East India. The results offer new insights into the amino acid composition of underutilized indigenous fruits, supporting their inclusion in regional diets and promotion as sustainable sources of nutrition and health benefits. However, the findings carry certain limitations and uncertainties arising from environmental variation, sample size, and methodological constraints.