Nutraceutical and bioactive properties of mulberry (Morus spp.) growing under Indian subtropics

Mulberry fruits are rich in bioactive compounds imparting antioxidant activity and nutraceutical properties. This study evaluated the nutritional and bioactive composition of white mulberry (M. alba), red mulberry (M. rubra) and black mulberry (M. nigra) growing under Indian subtropics. The moisture, ash, protein, crude fat, crude fiber, iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus were found to be in the range of 72.62 to 76.67%, 2.73 to 3.63%, 3.90 to 6.07%, 0.91 to 1.89%, 2.29 to 5.34%, 4.97 to 6.42 mg/100g, 1.85 to 2.51 mg/100g, 118.37 to 172.06 mg/100g, 60.22 to 238.77 mg/100g and 235.52 to 319.93 mg/100g, respectively in three mulberry species. The higher content of flavonoids, phenolics and antioxidant activity observed in the coloured species contributed a strong influence on the antiradical activity of black and red mulberry fruits which clearly specifies their use both in fresh as well as processed form as a functional food having high nutraceutical potential.