Nutrient and phytochemical analysis of two varieties of sea buckthorn berries from Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan

Seabuckthorn berries have high nutritional content and therapeutic benefits. The study aimed quantitative investigation of nutrients contents and phytochemical composition of seabuckthorn red and yellow varieties collected from Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. The analysis reveals the red variety exhibiting higher pH, total soluble solids and acidity than yellow variety. Organic acid profiling showed that yellow variety contained higher citric (2.00 %), malic acid (5.40 %) and total sugar content than red. Vitamin analysis indicated that yellow variety was richer in vitamin C (356.62 mg/100 g) and vitamin B2 (0.84 mg/100 g), while red contained more vitamin A (0.58 mg/100 g) and vitamin B1 (0.61 mg/100 g). Yellow had lower saturated fatty acids (23 %) and higher monounsaturated fatty acids (61 %) than red. Phenolic and flavonoid profiles of yellow had higher kaempferol and quercetin, while red had more gallic acid and ferulic acid. Yellow is also richer in phosphorus and iron, while red contains more potassium, calcium, and zinc. Both varieties exhibited high antioxidant activity, with DPPH scavenging values of 93.0 % (yellow) and 91.3 % (red). Toxicological analysis showed the concentration of heavy metals were found below the permissible limit. Furthermore, cytotoxicity assay showed that both variety exhibited no toxicity. Findings reveal seabuckthorn as a valuable dietary addition for functional food development, contributing to long-term health benefits for humans. • Sea buckthorn subspecies turkistanica is native plant of Gilgit-Baltistan and its berries are good sources bioactive compounds. • Yellow variety Sea buckthorn showed higher levels of citric acid malic acid total sugar vitamin C, and monounsaturated fatty acids. • Red variety of Sea buckthorn was enriched with vitamin A (0.58 mg/100 g), vitamin B1 (0.61 mg/100 g), potassium, calcium, zinc, and higher levels of gallic and ferulic acid. • Both varieties demonstrated strong antioxidant potental with high DPPH scavenging activity, making them valuable for health applications. • The heavy metal concentrations in both varieties were below permissible limits, and cytotoxicity analysis confirmed their safety for consumption.