ABSTRACT This scoping review aimed to identify, validate, and synthesize current evidence (2020–2025) on the antioxidant potential of unconventional edible plants (PANCs, from the Portuguese “Plantas Alimentícias Não Convencionais”, also referred to as UEPs), following Joanna Briggs Institute and PRISMA‐ScR guidelines. The review specifically evaluated the methodological quality and data validation criteria of the included studies, ensuring the reliability of the information synthesized. A total of 30 studies were included after systematic searches across six databases and gray literature sources. The period 2020–2025 was selected to capture the most recent wave of scientific publications following the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030), reflecting growing international interest in biodiversity‐based diets. Data extraction considered species, edible parts, preparation formats, analytical methods, and antioxidant outcomes. Results reveal a predominance of leafy vegetables such as Portulaca oleracea , Pereskia aculeata , and Amaranthus cruentus , which consistently exhibited high phenolic content and strong radical scavenging activity. Fruits ( Solanum betaceum ) and roots ( Talinum paniculatum ) expanded the diversity of bioactive profiles. At the same time, culinary practices, including cooking and fermentation, emerged as determinants of antioxidant performance, highlighting the importance of assessing these plants under realistic dietary conditions. DPPH (2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay) and total phenolic content (TPC) were the most frequently employed assays, although methodological heterogeneity limited comparability across studies. The evidence confirms that PANCs hold significant promise as natural antioxidants and contributors to the production of clean‐label foods and sustainable diets. However, the field remains limited by the lack of standardization, the scarcity of in vivo or clinical validations, and the absence of global economic and environmental assessments. Expanding research to other biodiversity‐rich regions, integrating translational models (such as simulated digestion, cell assays, and clinical trials), and aligning findings with food industry innovation and sustainability policies are critical next steps. This review highlights that validated, whole‐food consumption of PANCs can simultaneously strengthen local biodiversity, promote circular economy models, and contribute to global food security and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2 and 12. Strengthening international collaborations and multidisciplinary approaches will be essential to unlock their global potential as functional food ingredients.
Brito et al. (Sun,) studied this question.