Proximate and phenolic composition of selected native Australian food plants

Edible portions of Leucopogon parviflorus, Arthropodium strictum, Carpobrotus rossii, Rhagodia candolleana, Typha orientalis, Correa alba, Dianella revoluta and Acacia longifolia were collected in 2017 and 2019 from Warrnambool, Victoria Australia, and studied for phenolics and proximate composition. The plant species recorded consistent antioxidant activity with no nutritional alterations. Except for A. longifolia, total phenolic contents (TPC) were higher in 2019 than 2017 (P < 0.05). All the plant species contained Ca, Mg, Na and K. Except for betanin, isolated from R. candolleana (700 mg L-1) and C. rossii (244 mg L-1), higher quantities of polyphenols were extractable in methanol than water (P < 0.05). The plant fatty acid composition was predominantly palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids with A. longifolia containing 44% linoleic acid. While the plant nutrients and fatty acids were fairly stable, TPCs, some of the minerals and polyphenols varied between the years.