NICANDRA PHYSALOIDES (L.) GAERTN–A LESS KNOWN WILD EDIBLE FRUIT

Objective: Present study aims to understand the nutritional as well as medicinal potential of Nicandra physaloides fruits. Methods: Fresh as well as shade dried material was used for estimation of moisture content, crude protein, crude fibres, lipids, fat, reducing and non-reducing sugars, total soluble sugars, starch, total nitrogen, vitamins and antioxidants. Mineral content was estimated in terms of ash yield and further analysis was carried out for qualitative and quantitative estimation of different elements. Material was also screened for presence of bioactive molecules. Results: The study showed that, N. physaloides fruits were rich in proteins, carotenoids, vitamin–A and vitamin–C. The fruits were also found to be the good source of antioxidants like lycopene, anthocyanin, chlorophyll and phenols. Screening of bioactive molecules showed the presence of alkaloids, steroids, tannins, and polyoses which impart medicinal potential to plant. Conclusion: The study confirmed the nutritional as well as medicinal potential of fruits of N. physaloides. Still more studies are needed on its toxicity

Documentation of Wild Edible Plants of Melghat Forest, Dist. Amravati, Maharashtra State, India

An ethnobotanical survey with respect to food plants showed that tribals depend much upon forest products for their various daily needs. Wild edible plants play a significant role in the sustenance of rural life in Melghat. The paper deals with documentation of 42 plant species belonging to 23 families consumed by the tribal and other locals of Melghat area, Dist. Amravati, Maharashtra, India. Plant name, Family, along with their part used, and method of preparation is discussed

Nutraceutical potential of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Mucuna utilis </i>Wall. – A lesser known legume

36-41Mucuna utilis Wall. a native of South Asia and Malaysia is widely grown throughout the tropics. It is used as a minor food crop in several countries of Asia and Africa. In Nigeria leaves are used as herbal medicine. In South East Asia, the immature pods and leaves are used as vegetable. It is a lesser known source of food in Maharashtra (India) and mostly cultivated in home yards. Young pods are used as salad or made in to vegetable and pickles. Objective of the present study is to understand nutritional potential of these tender pods. Fresh as well as shade dried material was used for estimation of moisture content, chlorophyll, anthocyanin, lycopene, vitamin-C, vitamin-A, crude protein, crude fibre, lipids, fat, reducing and non-reducing sugars, total soluble sugars, starch, total nitrogen and phenols. Mineral content was estimated in terms of ash yield and further analysis was carried out for qualitative and quantitative estimation of different elements. Material was also screened for presence of bioactive molecules. The medicinal properties of anthraquinones, flavonoids, leucoanthocyanin, hydroquinone, catechol, saponin and polyoses present in these pods have been discussed and proposed to be explored for their potential medicinal and nutritional values. </span