NUTRITIONAL AND PHYTOCHEMICAL ASSESMENT OF WILD EDIBLE FRUIT OF AEGLE MARMELOS (LINN.) USED BY THE TRIBES OF BHIWAPUR TAHSIL NAGPUR DISTRICT, INDIA

Objectives: Wild edible plants play an important role in human life and are the vital constituent of the traditional diet. People of the Bhiwapur Tahsilare very close to the nature, wild fruits like Aegle marmelos (Bael), which is one of the natural resources in the Tahsil. They have a direct dependence onthe wild plants for their sustenance. Owing to the easy accessibility, the fruits are very commonly utilized by the tribal populations and travelers.Thepresent investigation aimed to assess the nutritional and phytochemical analysis of ripened fruits of a popularly known medicinal plant A. marmelose.Methods: The study includes the estimation of ash content, protein, carbohydrate (sugar), vitamins and mineral contents (Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Ca, Na, K)of Bael fruit. The water extract was screened for the qualitative phytochemical analysis.Results: The fresh fruits were found a rich source of protein (6.91±0.11 g/100 g), carbohydrate (22.55±0.15 g/100 g) fiber (7.26±0.23 g/100 g) andenergy (133.14 Kcal/100 g). The fruits were found to contain high calcium (86.69±0.01 mg/100 g) content and may be considered as a rich sourceto facilitate the rehabilitation of bone problems in the human being. The Na/K and Zn/Cu ratio were found to be 0.012 and 12.26 may attribute themedicinal properties in cardiovascular disorders. The water extract showed the presence of carbohydrates, proteins, sterols, alkaloids, glycosides,saponins, polyphenols, and flavonoids.Conclusion: The nutritional and phytochemical analysis reveals that the fruits are not only acting as supplementary foods, but is the tonic requirementsof the tribal's and deprived of poor Bhiwapur Tahsil.Keywords: Aegle marmelos, Bhiwapur, nutritional, Phytochemical, Tribal