This presentation reports a multidisciplinary investigation conducted in partnership with the Mbabaram community of North Queensland under the ARC Indigenous Discovery Project “A Deadly Solution: Towards an Indigenous-led Bushfood Industry.” The study focuses on the edible fruits of three closely related Australian native plant species—two naturally occurring on Mbabaram Country and one indigenous but non-local to the region. These fruits hold long-standing Traditional significance for their nutritional and medicinal properties. The project was co-designed with Mbabaram Traditional Owners to ensure Indigenous data sovereignty, cultural governance, and benefit-sharing, with all species identities de-identified in accordance with community protocols.

Phytochemical and bioactivity characterisation was achieved using benchtop colourimetric and spectrophotometric assays alongside advanced metabolomic and pharmacokinetic modelling. Antioxidant potential and pigment composition were evaluated through established colourimetric assays, while targeted LC-MS/MS enabled quantitative profiling of key phenolic compounds and untargeted LC-QToF-MS/MS provided broader metabolomic fingerprints across the species. The resulting metabolite dataset was subsequently analysed using pharmacokinetic modelling to predict the absorption, distribution, and metabolic behaviour of representative bioactives, linking biochemical composition to potential functional properties.

Comparative analysis of these three culturally important species revealed pronounced interspecific differences in pigment chemistry, phenolic diversity, and antioxidant capacity, reflecting both genetic and environmental influences. Predicted bioavailability patterns also aligned with Traditional understandings of nourishment, health, and wellness applications.

By combining Indigenous Knowledge with contemporary analytical science, this research demonstrates how culturally governed, co-designed investigations can expand biochemical understanding and drive Indigenous-led innovation in nutraceutical and functional food development grounded in Country. This work exemplifies how respectful partnerships between Indigenous communities and researchers can deliver both cultural and scientific outcomes, laying the foundation for sustainable development and continued stewardship of Australia’s native food resources.