Unconventional but valuable phytoresources: exploring the nutritional benefits of 18 wild edible Asteraceae from West Bengal, India

Wild plants are the largest source of genetic diversity for crop breeding. Since ancient times, people have used wild edibles for sustenance, and these foods are frequently the focus of efficient coping mechanisms for malnutrition. Many tribal communities in West Bengal, India, are malnourished. Incorporating wild green leafy vegetables (WGLVs) into daily cuisine may be a better food-based strategy for alleviating their hidden hunger. Asteraceae members have traditionally been used as wild edibles and medicines in India. The current study sought to ascertain the acceptability, nutritional potential, and health benefits of 18 WGLVs of Asteraceae. Mineral nutrients, vitamins, proximate contents, antioxidant activity, total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and in vitro toxicity of the selected WGLVs have been assessed. Altogether 36 types of different food and medicinal preparations have been recorded. Ten taxa have been found rich in nutritional compositions like soluble and insoluble carbohydrates, crude protein, crude fat, and dietary minerals (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu). Cotula anthemoides L., Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC., Sonchus arvensis L., and Sphaeranthus indicus L. are some examples of underutilized edible herbs that contain significant amounts of vitamins, health-beneficial phytochemicals, and antioxidants. All of the investigated WGLVs have a wide range of nutritional potentialities and can be used for human consumption as alternative and functional food items, which may potentially alleviate hidden hunger and provide food security.