Evaluation of Nutritional Potential of Wild Edible Plants, Traditionally Used by the Tribal People of Meghalaya State in India

Research Article

Evaluation of Nutritional Potential of Wild Edible Plants, Traditionally Used by the Tribal People of Meghalaya State in India

The nutritional potential of some wild edible plants e.g., the leaves of Bauhinia purpurea Linn. (Fabaceae) , Diplazium esculentum (Retz.) Sw (Athyriaceae), the fruits of Elaeagnus latifolia Linn. (Elaeagnaceae), Elaeagnus pyriformis Hook. f. (Elaeagnaceae) and the flowers of Dillenia pentagyna Roxb. (Dilleniaceae), were evaluated by determining proximate and phytochemical composition. These plants are used by the different tribal people of Meghalaya state of India as their food. The present study revealed that for different plant species, the crude fat content ranged between 11.3±0.70-15.1±0.30 g kg^-1. The crude protein content was determined high in the fruits of E. pyriformis (231.8±0.50 g kg^-1), E. latifolia (148.2±0.80 g kg^-1) and in the leaves of D. esculentum (143.8±2.0 g kg^-1) while, the available carbohydrate content was highest in the flower of D.pentagyna (824.5±1.60 g kg^-1) and very good amount in B. purpurea and E. latifolia. The nutritive value ranged from 3413.16±2.46-3827.03±5.45 kcal kg^-1 in the various wild edible plants. Among the various macronutrients estimated in the plant samples of different wild edible plants potassium was present in the highest quantity (13580±80.0-43730±110.0 mg kg^-1) followed by calcium (5860±40-13330±70 mg kg^-1) and sodium (815±27.0-1180±72.0 mg kg^-1). Micronutrients, such as iron, zinc, copper, manganese and chromium were analyzed in the different plant specimens. The result indicates that nutritional values and mineral contents of these plants under investigation were richer than that of the commercial vegetables and could be used for nutritional purpose. The present study also gives an account of ethnobotanical importance of the wild plants under investigation.

PDF Fulltext XML References Citation

How to cite this article

Tapan Seal, 2012. Evaluation of Nutritional Potential of Wild Edible Plants, Traditionally Used by the Tribal People of Meghalaya State in India. American Journal of Plant Nutrition and Fertilization Technology, 2: 19-26.

DOI: 10.3923/ajpnft.2012.19.26

URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=ajpnft.2012.19.26

American Journal of Plant Nutrition and Fertilization Technology

Article Trend

Total views 881

Search

Authors

Tapan Seal

Keywords

Research Article

Evaluation of Nutritional Potential of Wild Edible Plants, Traditionally Used by the Tribal People of Meghalaya State in India

How to cite this article

Related Articles

Leave a Comment