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Nutritional Evaluation of Wild Leafy Vegetables Consumed by Tribals in the Wayanad District of Kerala

Nutritional Evaluation of Wild Leafy Vegetables Consumed by Tribals in the Wayanad District of... Wayanad, one of the high range districts of the southernmost state of Kerala is a biodiversity hotspot region with rich endemic flora and fauna. It is well known for a wide variety of crops including specially scented rice, spices, ornamental plants, medicinal plants, subtropical fruits and vegetables. The district has been the home for majority of tribal population in Kerala. These tribal groups consume a large variety of wild leaves endemic to the area as a regular food supplement. Widely consumed leaves include those of Alternanthera sessilis, Talinum portulacifolium, Boerhaavia diffusa, Cassia tora, Colocasia esculenta, Achyranthes bidentata, Achyranranthus aspera, Alternanthera dentata, Amaranthus spinosus, Amaranthus viridis, Cyathula prostrata and Solanum nigrum. A comparison of the nutrient content of these non-domesticated leaves with amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor), the most commonly used leafy vegetable of Kerala has been attempted. Among all the WLVs studied, C. tora L. exhibited higher protein, fiber and vitamin C content than amaranth with significantly low nitrate and oxalate content. Different macro minerals like calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and micro minerals like copper, zinc, iron and manganese were also found to be higher in most of these wild leafy vegetables as compared to those of amaranth. Since the wild leaves consumed by the tribal communities are rich in various nutrients especially the micro nutrients, attempts should be taken to conserve and promote these wild leaves for their sustainable utilization and to achieve nutritional security. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences Springer Journals

Nutritional Evaluation of Wild Leafy Vegetables Consumed by Tribals in the Wayanad District of Kerala

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References (44)

Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © 2013 by The National Academy of Sciences, India
Subject
Life Sciences; Life Sciences, general; Behavioural Sciences; Plant Biochemistry; Nucleic Acid Chemistry
ISSN
0369-8211
eISSN
2250-1746
DOI
10.1007/s40011-013-0271-x
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Wayanad, one of the high range districts of the southernmost state of Kerala is a biodiversity hotspot region with rich endemic flora and fauna. It is well known for a wide variety of crops including specially scented rice, spices, ornamental plants, medicinal plants, subtropical fruits and vegetables. The district has been the home for majority of tribal population in Kerala. These tribal groups consume a large variety of wild leaves endemic to the area as a regular food supplement. Widely consumed leaves include those of Alternanthera sessilis, Talinum portulacifolium, Boerhaavia diffusa, Cassia tora, Colocasia esculenta, Achyranthes bidentata, Achyranranthus aspera, Alternanthera dentata, Amaranthus spinosus, Amaranthus viridis, Cyathula prostrata and Solanum nigrum. A comparison of the nutrient content of these non-domesticated leaves with amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor), the most commonly used leafy vegetable of Kerala has been attempted. Among all the WLVs studied, C. tora L. exhibited higher protein, fiber and vitamin C content than amaranth with significantly low nitrate and oxalate content. Different macro minerals like calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and micro minerals like copper, zinc, iron and manganese were also found to be higher in most of these wild leafy vegetables as compared to those of amaranth. Since the wild leaves consumed by the tribal communities are rich in various nutrients especially the micro nutrients, attempts should be taken to conserve and promote these wild leaves for their sustainable utilization and to achieve nutritional security.

Journal

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences – Springer Journals

Published: Dec 21, 2013

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