Phytoconstituents, GC-MS Characterization of Omega Fatty Acids, and Antioxidant Potential of Less-Known Plant Rivina humilis L.

Rivina humilis L. (Petiveriaceae),commonly known as the pigeon berry, accumulates betalains in berries.The present study was focused on identifying the phytoconstituents,mineral content, fatty acid composition, phenolics, flavonoids, antinutritionalfactors, and antioxidant activities of different plant parts (leaf,stem, root, and seeds), which are otherwise not well explored. Phytoconstituentanalysis revealed seeds as a potential source of carbohydrates (50.15g/100 g), proteins (10.96 g/100 g), and fats (11.25 g/100 g). Rootsshowed the highest fat (17.66 g/100 g) and dietary fiber (81.49 g/100g). Leaves and roots contain more iron (29.59 and 29.39 mg/100 g),whereas seed has high zinc content (12.09 mg/100 g). Leaf oil showed47.83 g/100 g of omega-3-fatty acid, confirmed by GC-MS analysis.Seed oil showed 22.23 g/100, 44.48 g/100, and 24.04 g/100 g of palmitic,oleic, and linoleic acids, respectively. The leaf extract has thehighest TPC (597.55 mg/100 g), followed by the seed (421.68 mg/100g). The leaf's 80% ethanolic extract had high TFC (2442.19mg/100 g), followed by 70% methanolic extract (1566.25 mg/100 g).The antinutritional profile indicated significant phytic acid andoxalates in the leaf (9.3 g/100 and 2.07 g/100 g) and stem (6.9 and1.58 g/100 g) and low tannin content (<0.5 g/100 g). The leaf's80% ethanolic extract exhibited double the TAA than 70% methanolicextract (1.52 g/100 g). The leaf with an 80% ethanolic extract hadthe lowest DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging EC50 (2.22and 0.37 mg/mL). The leaf with an 80% ethanolic extract (479.73 mg/100g) and seed (391.14 mg/100 g) had the highest FRAP activity. Our studyproves that different parts of R. humilis had a good content of phytoconstituents, bioactives, and antioxidantactivities. Hence, R. humilis leavesand seeds are a novel source of omega fatty acids and minerals reportedfor the first time and have potential applications in the food andpharmaceutical industries.