Antioxidant and micronutrient potential of common fruits available in the Indian subcontinent.

Considering the scanty information on Indian fruits, 36 commonly consumed fruits were assessed for inhibition of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, superoxide scavenging activity and ferrous ion-chelating ability along with levels of micronutrients (namely ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, riboflavin, thiamine, zinc, copper, iron, manganese, selenium and total polyphenols). Fruits exhibited 24-173% variability for the 13 study parameters. Fresh fruits exhibited 3.5-4 times higher antioxidant capacity than dry fruits. Ascorbic acid was highest in gooseberry (445 mg/100 g), and beta-carotene was highest in ripe mango 1,200 mg/100 g. Selenium levels could supply 0-33% of the recommended dietary allowance. There was a strong association between different indices of antioxidant capacity (P<0.001), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances with selenium levels (P<0.01), and superoxide scavenging activity and ferrous ion-chelating ability with zinc content (P<0.05). Results emphasize need for the antioxidant quality of fruit in addition to the quantity of fruit consumption.