Health Risk Assessment and Bioactive Potential in Wild Food Plants from Deosai: A High-Altitude Ecosystem in Northern...

The present study assessed heavy metal contamination, phytochemical content, antioxidant potential, and health risk in twelve wild food plants (WFPs) from Deosai National Park (DNP), Pakistan. Eight heavy metals were quantified in edible parts of WFPs with the following decreasing order: Zn > Cu > Hg > As > Pb > Cr > Ni > Cd based on mean values. The highest concentration of As and Hg was in the leaves of Taraxacum officinale (3.562 ± 1.08 and 8.20 ± 2.06 mg/kg) and Ni and Cd in the fruit of Ribes alpestre (0.288 ± 0.11 and 0.013 ± 0.004 mg/kg) in respective orders. The highest concentrations of Cr (1.13 ± 0.06 mg/kg), Cu (37.3 ± 5.67 mg/kg), and Pb (1.18 ± 0.001 mg/kg) were quantified in the leaves of Chenopodium foliosum, Convolvulus arvensis, and Thymus linearis, respectively. Zn was maximum in the fruits of Rosa webbiana fruit (95.93 ± 9.15 mg/kg). Phytochemical analysis revealed T. officinale leaves had maximum total phenolic content (877.8 ± 50.2 mgGAE/100 g DW), while total flavonoids were highest in Pleurospermum candollei (672.8 ± 40.6 mgQE/100 g DW). Antioxidant assays emphasized R. alpestre fruits with the highest total antioxidant capacity (2679.8 ± 15.4 mgAAE/100 g) and P. candollei with maximum ferric reducing power (1932.6 ± 256.2 mgAAE/100 g). However, hydroxyl and DPPH radical scavenging was maximum in the fruits of Ephedra gerardiana (89.6 ± 2.0%) and R. webbiana (68.5 ± 0.53%). These variations may be attributed to diverse altitude, anthropogenic activities, and soil composition across different sampling sites of DNP. Health risk indices (HRI, THQ, HI, and TCR) were generally below threshold levels, indicating low non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks. However, HI in T. officinale exceeded 1 due to elevated levels of As and Hg, suggesting long-term risks with excessive consumption, particularly for children. Overall, WFPs of DNP are a safe dietary option, with promising nutraceutical potential, but continuous ecological monitoring and sustainable utilization of these food plants can enhance health benefits, food security, and bioresource conservation in alpine ecosystems.