Nutritive values of wild edible fruits, berries, nuts, roots and spices consumed by the Khasi tribes of India

Abstract

Fourteen wild edible berries, fruits, roots, and nuts consumed by the Khasi tribe of Meghalaya were botanically identified and analyzed for their nutrient contents in terms of macronutrients, minerals, and vitamins. The study revealed that Coix lachryma jobi, a nut, was rich in protein (13.3 g %), Zanthoxylum acanthopodium a spice, rich in fat (20.9 g %), and Solanum indicum a berry, rich in crude fiber (47.2 g %). Castanopsis indica a nut, contained good amounts of calcium (1540 mg %), Kaempfaria galanga a root, considerable amounts of iron (69.91 mg %) and zinc (8.4 mg %), and Vangeria spinosaa fruit, a good amount of zinc (23.0 mg %). The berry Solanum indicum contained 826.4 mg % of vitamin C, whereas Prunus nepalensis contained β-carotene (257.1 µg %) and vitamin C (608.9 mg %). It can be concluded that the wild edibles eaten by the Khasi are a good source of nutrients, and considering their low cost and easy availability, need to be popularized and recommended for commercial exploitation.

Keywords:

• Wild edibles
• fruits
• berries
• roots
• nuts
• nutritional content
• Khasi tribals

Acknowledgments

The author acknowledges the Khasi people who assisted in identifying and harvesting the wild berry food resources. Also acknowledged are scientists from the Botanical Survey of India, Shillong and National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, Umiam for Botanical Identification, the Director and staff of the Division of Animal Nutrition, ICAR Research complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, for their support and encouragement.

Notes

Indian Council of Medical Research (1989). Nutrient Requirements and Recommended Dietary Allowances for Indians. National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad.