Nutritional and anti-nutritional analysis of wild edible plants in Hassan district of Karnataka, India

The nutritional potential of twelve wild edible plants of Hassan district was botanically identified and analysed for their nutritional and antinutritional values. The present study showed that the crude protein varied from 0.26±0.05 g/100 g to 5.88±0.55 g/100 g for different plant species. Vitamin C was high and found to have a maximum content in fruits of Gardenia latifolia (71.2±1.7 mg/100 g), Buchanania lanzan (47.34±1.33 mg/100 g), and Canthium parviflorum (21.7±1.18 mg/100 g). In contrast, the tubers of Aponogeton echinatus has rich in carbohydrates (26.50±0.34 g/100 g). In the various wild edible plants, the energy content ranged from 83 to 158.3 kcal/100 g. Also, the minerals quantified in the fruit Grewia tiliifolia contained a fair amount of potassium (1179.6±8.35 mg/100 g) followed by calcium in Canthium parviflorum (356.2±3.75 mg/100 g), phosphorus in Buchanania lanzan (263.7±4.63 mg/100 g). We also examined at total phenolic contents, which ranged from 13.30.88 mg/100 g to 582.31.45 mg/100 g in fruits of Grewia tiliifolia and tubers of Dioscorea pentaphylla, as well as anti-nutritional factors like oxalate, which was present lowest in the fruit of Buchanania lanzan (7.8±0.72 mg/100 g). The findings show that the wild edible plants used were a good source of nutrients and could be used as a nutrition source

Nutritional and anti-nutritional analysis of wild edible plants in Hassan district of Karnataka, India

281-290The nutritional potential of twelve wild edible plants of Hassan district was botanically identified and analysed for their nutritional and antinutritional values. The present study showed that the crude protein varied from 0.26±0.05 g/100 g to 5.88±0.55 g/100 g for different plant species. Vitamin C was high and found to have a maximum content in fruits of Gardenia latifolia (71.2±1.7 mg/100 g), Buchanania lanzan (47.34±1.33 mg/100 g), and Canthium parviflorum (21.7±1.18 mg/100 g). In contrast, the tubers of Aponogeton echinatus has rich in carbohydrates (26.50±0.34 g/100 g). In the various wild edible plants, the energy content ranged from 83 to 158.3 kcal/100 g. Also, the minerals quantified in the fruit Grewia tiliifolia contained a fair amount of potassium (1179.6±8.35 mg/100 g) followed by calcium in Canthium parviflorum (356.2±3.75 mg/100 g), phosphorus in Buchanania lanzan (263.7±4.63 mg/100 g). We also examined at total phenolic contents, which ranged from 13.30.88 mg/100 g to 582.31.45 mg/100 g in fruits of Grewia tiliifolia and tubers of Dioscorea pentaphylla, as well as anti-nutritional factors like oxalate, which was present lowest in the fruit of Buchanania lanzan (7.8±0.72 mg/100 g). The findings show that the wild edible plants used were a good source of nutrients and could be used as a nutrition source

POTENTIAL OF BAJRA [PENNISETUM GLAUCUM (L.) R. BR.] IN HEALTH AND DISEASE

Bajra, also known as pearl millet, African millet or spiked millet, originated in Northern-Central Sahel of West Africa, was introduced 2500 years ago into Indian subcontinent. However, it is mentioned in Ayurvedic texts from 14th Century AD onwards as Nali under Truna dhanya or Kudhanya vargas. It is considered as a major source of Gluten free diet and is used in the management of Coeliac disease and other gluten allergy conditions worldwide. Indians are also including millet into their day to day diet in accordance with the global trend.  However the conditions of Gluten allergy and Coeliac disease are not common in Southern India. Hence, the necessity of Gluten free diet in South Indian Population is under question. It is hypothesized that excessive millet usage could be a reason behind thyroid dysfunction and goitre. Regular millet only diet may also lead to a nutrition deprived state in people who are not gluten sensitive. Ayurveda also emphasizes on avoidance of regular use of Kudhanyas. This review comprises different aspects of dietary inclusion of Bajra. The properties and usability of Bajra as a gluten free diet, utility of Bajra in populations which are not gluten allergic and the effects of Bajra on health and disease form the core of this review.

Identification and authentication of Agnimantha plant species used in Ayurveda on the basis of anatomical and molecular phylogenetic analysis

Agnimantha plant species have been used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine for many years and is widely used as an ingredient in many ayurvedic formulations. However, the source for Agnimantha remained controversial as it is difficult to authenticate from various reports. Hence, the present study aims to identify and authenticate its original and substitute sources. As per the literature sources Clerodendrum phlomidis L.f., C. inerme (L.) Gaertn. and Premna serratifolia L. are considered Agnimantha species. The anatomy of the above mentioned species confirmed the presence of patches of up to 20 cells in the sclerenchyma of the root cortex, while in the absence of sclerenchyma of the stem cortex, abundant chambered crystals were also present in the bark of the stem and root in C. phlomidis as compared to C. inerme and P. serratifolia. Phylogenetic analysis using chloroplast (matK, trnH-psbA) and nuclear markers (ITS, rbcl) also indicates the close relation between C. inerme and P. serratifolia and hence places them both in the same clade, though C. phlomidis is closely related to the other species but placed in the adjacent clade. Hence, the study concludes that anatomical as well as molecular phylogenetic analysis reflect close relation between C. inerme and P. serratifolia. while a distant relation with C. phlomidis

Medico-botanical survey of <i style="">Kumar parvatha</i> Kukke Subramanya, Mangalore, Karnataka

96-99A Medico-botanical survey was conducted in Kumar Parvatha, at Kukke Subramanya in Sullia taluk during December 2005. A standard methodology was followed for documentation of 44 plant species being extensively being used for curing various human ailments

Hundred common forest medicinal plants of Karnataka in primary healthcare

90-95The hilly regions of Western Ghat in Karnataka supported to have several thousands of medicinal plants along with other rich flora and fauna. It also helped to develop traditional knowledge and folklore of medicine to cure various diseases and ailments. This knowledge is used by supplier, agents and pharmaceuticals to exploit the rich forest resource in the form of raw drugs. The collection of drugs from natural condition is helping to generate employment to the families, which are living below the poverty line in the cover of forest. From the available, commonly available and regular in use medicinal plants of forests were selected for the study. Information was collected from local people, Vaidyas, physicians and literature about plant name, family, local name, Sanskrit name, parts used and uses to cure various health related problem

Physicochemical and preliminary phytochemical studies on the fruits of “Shivalingi†[Diplocyclos palmatus (Linn.) Jeffrey]

Shivalingi (Diplocyclos palmatus Linn.) is a lesser heard medicinal plant of Ayurveda with the fruits having important use in the area of reproductive medicine (female infertility, aphrodisiac, tonic, leucorrhoea etc.,). The plant especially the fruits have immense folklore usage even today. It has been described in Ayurvedic classical texts like Rajanighantu and Nighantu ratnakara. So far no study reports are available on chemical analysis on the dried fruits of shivalingi. Hence, the present attempt was undertaken with an objective to investigate the physicochemical and preliminary phytochemical studies. The methodology of the study also involved Thin Layer chromatography and fluorescence parameters. The results of the analyses showed the presence of organic constituents like alkaloids, triterpinoids, flavonoids, saponins, steroids and proteins in the dried fruit. This provides impetus to conduct advanced research on this fruit to uncover its vast medicinal potential