# Edible Potential of Allophylus villosus and Mycetia sinensis for Sustainable Functional Food Development

## TL;DR

This study explores two wild plants used by the Chakma community in Bangladesh for their nutritional value and safety as potential functional foods.

## Contribution

The study provides a novel evaluation of the nutritional and toxicological profiles of Allophylus villosus and Mycetia sinensis for sustainable food development.

## Key findings

- Both plants showed high protein and fiber content with safe levels of anti-nutritional factors.
- Ethanol extracts were moderately toxic, while other extracts were non-toxic and showed strong cell compatibility.
- Heavy metal content was below detectable limits, indicating safety for consumption.

## Abstract

The Chakma indigenous community in Bangladesh traditionally uses Allophylus villosus and Mycetia sinensis as wild food plants with therapeutic benefits against diabetes, pain, and other ailments. This study evaluates their nutritional properties, anti‐nutritional factors, heavy metal content, and cytotoxicity to assess their potential as functional foods and pharmacological agents. Leaves of
A. villosus
and aerial parts of
M. sinensis
were shade‐dried, powdered, and sequentially extracted with n‐hexane, ethyl acetate, and ethanol. Macronutrient profiling revealed high protein (12.72717% ± 0.00010% in
A. villosus
), dietary fiber (37.19% ± 0.06% in
M. sinensis
), and safe levels of phytic and oxalic acids. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis confirmed that toxic heavy metals were below detectable limits across all solvent extracts. Cytotoxicity was assessed using brine shrimp lethality bioassays, which categorized ethanol extracts as moderately toxic (LC50: 174.5–331.9 μg/mL), while n‐hexane and ethyl acetate fractions were non‐toxic. Vero cell line assays demonstrated > 95% viability, indicating strong cytocompatibility. Statistical analyses included triplicate experiments, with results expressed as mean ± SD and significance evaluated by one‐way ANOVA followed by Tukey's HSD post hoc test. Overall,
A. villosus
and
M. sinensis
may have potential as safe, nutrient‐rich candidates for future functional food and ethno‐pharmacological applications, pending further in vivo validation. Their sustainable use could contribute to improved dietary diversity, plant‐based health solutions, and biodiversity preservation, aligning with broader goals of nutrition and ecological resilience.

Nutritional assessment and toxicological evaluation of M. sinesis and A. villosus.