Bioactive Compounds and Nutritional Profile of Calamus erectus: An Underexplored Fruit from Sikkim, India

Abstract

Calamus erectus Roxb., locally known as Fyakrey in Sikkim, is an underutilized wild fruit species that has significant traditional importance but is poorly scientifically characterized. The present study estimated the nutrient composition, mineral profile, and phytochemicals of its fruits to infer the possible use as a functional food resource. Proximate analysis indicated that the fruit is dominated by carbohydrates (87.69 ± 0.70%), which assigns a very high nutritive value to fruits at 376.88 ± 0.14 Kcal/100 g. Moderate levels of crude protein (3.74 ± 0.56%) and crude fibre (4.99 ± 0.02%), along with lower fat and ash contents, were measured. The mineral profile showed potassium to be the predominant element measured at 160.94 ± 1.56 µg/L, besides moderate amounts of magnesium, sodium, and calcium, and trace levels of iron, copper, manganese, zinc, and molybdenum. The phytochemical evaluation revealed a high total phenolic content of 39.00 ± 1.32 mg GAE/g and good flavonoid content at 22.72 ± 0.21 mg QE/g, thus reflecting strong antioxidant potential. It also contained detectable amounts of ascorbic acid, anthocyanins, and carotenoids. Overall, the above results showed that Calamus erectus is a nutritionally valuable lesser-known fruit and rich in bioactive compounds, thus supporting its possible use as a natural source of energy, dietary fibre, and antioxidants. The present study supports the nutraceutical potential of the species and is relevant in the context of diversified fruits from the Eastern Himalaya.