Antioxidant activity and mineral nutrient composition of Polygonum cognatum - a potential wild edible plant

Abstract

Wild edible plants are of considerable interest to scientists, governments, and local people living in rural regions, since they are the potential source of novel nutraceuticals and may contribute to food security. Thus, they are increasingly important to understand their nutritional values. <em>Polygonum cognatum</em> is among the widely used wild edible plants in Turkey and worldwide. However, the available literature on the mineral contents and antioxidant properties of this plant is limited. In this study, the <em>P. cognatum</em> samples collected from six different areas in Erzurum, Turkey, were investigated for antioxidant activity (&beta;-carotene Bleaching, DPPH and FRAP), total phenolic content, and presence of macro minerals (P, K, Ca Mg and Na), micro minerals (Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, B) and heavy metals (Ni and Pb). According to the present research results, total phenolic content and antioxidant potential of <em>P. cognatum </em>were determined to be high, with significant differences according to sampling areas. Our results also showed that <em>P. cognatum</em> contained considerable amounts of magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron, manganese, zinc and low amounts of sodium, boron, nickel, and lead. Therefore, based on the current data, it could be used as a new source of nutraceutical foods and enhance the diversity in a modern functional diet.