Estimation of optimum fruit harvesting time for oil nutrients in seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) growing in Trans-Himalayas

The studies on the nutrients dynamics (carotenoids, vitamin E and flavonol) were carried out in the fruit pulp oils of two selections of Hippophae rhamnoides spp. turkestanica (one each from Madhgaon, Lahaul, a semi-arid region and Shego, Spiti, an arid region) and one selection named “Drilbu” of H. salicifolia, from Tinu villlage, Lahaul and HI-1, an exotic form of Hippophae rhamnoides spp. mongolica, all raised at Kukumseri (2730 m asl) in Lahaul region of district Lahaul-Spiti, a high altitude cold desert of Himachal Pradesh, India. In “Madhgaon” form, carotenoid value varied from 1180 to 1710 mg/kg. In “Shego” form, it varied from 1080 to 2480 mg/kg. In “HI-1”, the value varied from 2200 to 4460 mg/kg. In case of “Tinu” form, the value varied from 70 to 200 mg/kg. The maximum carotenoids (4460 mg) was estimated in fruit pulp oil of exotic “HI-I” during the III collection. It was at peak during II collection in both local forms of H. rhamnoides spp. turkestanica, whereas it decreased with maturation of fruits in “Tinu form”. The content of tocopherol was found maximum during I collection in the pulp oil of “Shego” form (3063 ppm), which decreased to 2237 ppm during II collection and a minimum of 1968 ppm during III collection. In “Madhgaon” form, it increased from 2675 ppm during I collection and peaked to 2786 ppm during II collection and declined to 2553 ppm during III collection. Content of tocopherol in “Tinu” form decreased from a maximum of 1919 ppm during I collection to a minimum of 1290 ppm during III collection. A minimum value was found in HI-1 (1347–1556), however, it increased with the maturation of fruit. The content of flavonols was maximum in “Tinu” form (270 to 428 mg/kg), followed by “Madhagon” form (208 to 308 mg/kg), “HI-1” (210 to 270 mg/kg) and a minimum value of 122 to 180 mg/kg in “Shego” form The content of flavonols decreased in all 3 forms, whereas it increased in “Shego” form with maturation of seabuckthorn fruits. The different forms of seabuckthorn showed different patterns of accumulation of carotenoids, vitamin E and flavonol in fruit pulp oils in relation to fruit maturation.