Comprehensive Nutritional, Mineral, and Phytochemical Profiling of Rosa canina Populations Reveals Elite Germplasm for Functional Foods and Nutraceutical Development

Rosa canina L. (rose hip) is an underutilized wild fruit with high potential as a natural ingredient for functional foods and nutraceuticals. This study evaluated the proximate composition, mineral content, and bioactive compounds in whole fruit powders from eight Iranian R. canina populations, aiming to identify suitable materials for food industry applications. Fruits were collected from different regions and analyzed using standard methods including proximate analysis, ICP MS, HPLC, and spectrophotometry. Significant diversity was found among populations. The Saveh population showed the highest carbohydrate (39.46%), fat (1.89%), and energy value (187.13 kcal/100 g), along with the strongest antioxidant activity (34.30 μmol Fe²⁺/g) and total phenolic content (92.87 mg GAE/g). The Sonqor population was richest in protein (3.71%) and dietary fiber (2.41%), while Mahabad and Ajabshir stood out for specific minerals (potassium, magnesium, iron) and pigments (anthocyanins, carotenoids). Among phenolic compounds, catechin was most abundant, and ferulic acid levels were consistent across all populations. Vitamin C content ranged from 95.34 to 397.13 mg/100 g, with the highest value in Yasuj. These results suggest that specific populations, particularly Saveh, Mahabad, and Ajabshir, can serve as natural fortificants or base ingredients for developing functional food products to enhance nutritional quality and provide antioxidant benefits. This study offers practical insights for the selective use of R. canina in the food industry, supporting regional sourcing and value-added product innovation