Comparative assessment of nutritional composition, polyphenol profile and antioxidative properties of wild edible ferns from northeastern China

Ferns are one of the prevalent species of wild edible plants but one of the least explored terrestrial plants. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the nutrient composition, polyphenol profile and antioxidative properties of four wild edible ferns commonly utilized in northeastern China. We studied the content of ash, polysaccharide, protein, fat and mineral elements of the samples. Furthermore, the samples were found to have good total phenolic and total flavonoid contents and some level of antioxidant capacity as determined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline) 6-sufonic acid (ABTS) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). They also exhibited different specific accumulation of polyphenol profiles, estimated by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS). Significance analysis revealed a significant correlation between individual phenolic compounds and the antioxidant activity of the ferns. The results of the study suggest that wild edible ferns are rich in nutritional value and have potential as a natural source of antioxidants.