Nutrient Content Of Tribal Foods From India: Flemingia Vestita And Perilla Frutescens

Summary

Many varieties of leaves, seeds, nuts, and roots are eaten by people who practiseagriculture, particularly subsistence within access to jungles or forests. Such foodsassume significant roles in providing additional nutrients since the diets of peoplein the tropics are usually high in carbohydrates and marginal in protein contentas well as in fruits and vegetables. One such food is a mixture of Perilla frutescens seeds and Flemingia vestita tubers. This mixture is eaten by theKhasi and Garo tribal populations of Meghalaya, a state in northeast of India.Flemingia vestita tubers and Perilla frutescens seeds were subjected to proximate and amino acid analyses. The data obtained suggested that Perilla frutescens seeds enrich Flemingia vestita tuber meal and the mixture of thetwo provide significant, additional nutrients to the diets of the Khasis and the Garos.