Studies on some edible herbs: Antioxidant activity, phenolic content, mineral content and antifungal properties

•Antioxidant, phenolics, trace elements and antifungal activity of 12 herbs.•Paederia scandens has good antioxidant potential with high phenolic content.•Rutin and gallic acid are the most abundant phenolic compounds.•Pouzolzia indica is a rich source of Ca, Fe and Zn.•Stellaria media has good antifungal activity against Alternaria tenuissima. Twelve classical edible herbs of Assam were studied, among which, Fagopyrum esculentum, Paederia scandens and Amaranthus viridis showed strong antioxidant potential with high phenolic contents. Rutin and gallic acids were the most abundant phenolic compounds. α-Tocopherol was present in all herbs, while ascorbic acid was found only in some. Leucas aspera and Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides were good sources of both α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid. All twelve herbs were devoid of Pb and Cd. Pouzolzia indica was a rich source of Ca, Fe and Zn. Further, the plants were found to be moderately active against mycotoxin producing fungus Alternaria tenuissima.