Proximate and vitamin C analysis of wild edible plants consumed by Bodos of Assam, India

Abstract

Hwiyang Narzary, Ananta Swargiary and Sanjay Basumatary

Aim: The State of Assam is gifted with diverse flora including thousands of wild edible plants. The consumption of a large variety of wild plants by Bodos, an ethnic group and dominant inhabitant of Bodoland Territorial Area Districts of Assam of North-East India, is a common practice since time immemorial. The objective of this study was to investigate the nutritional values of wild edible plants consumed by the Bodos of this region. Materials and Methods: In this study, twelve wild edible plants viz. Blumea lanceolaria (Roxb.) Druce, Stellaria media (L.), Glinus oppositifolius (L.) Aug. DC., Cryptolepis sinensis (Lour) Merr., Polygonum perfoliatum L., Oenanthe javanica (Blume) DC., Tetrastigma angustifolium (Roxb.), Antidesma acidum Retz., Drymaria cordata (L.) Willd.ex Schult., Eryngium foetidum L., Lippia javanica (Burm.f.) Spreng. and Enhydra fluctuans Lour. consumed by the Bodos were selected, scientifically identified and their proximate and vitamin C contents were determined using standard food analysis methods. Results: Proximate compositions were presented and the vitamin C content was found highest in T. angustifolium (79.06 ± 0.02 mg) and lowest in A. acidum (11.39 ± 0.0002 mg). All the results were based on 100 g fresh weight of the sample. Conclusion: In the present study, all the twelve plants have shown variable values of proximate composition and vitamin C contents. These plants could be a promising alternate food sources which are easily available, affordable and could provide several health benefits on consumption.

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