Authors : C. S. Laddha , S. G. Kunjalwar , Mohammad Tauqeer
Page Nos : 17-25
Description :
Wild edible plants play an impotant role in human life and are the vital constituent of the traditional diet. People of the Bhiwapur tahsil are very close to the nature, wild fruits like Aeglemarmelos (Bael) which is one of the natural resources in the tahsil. They have the direct dependence on the wild plants for their sustenance. Due to the easy accessibility, the fruits are very commonly utilized by the tribal populations and travelers. The present investigation aimed to assess the proximate, mineral and phytochemical analysis of ripened fruits of a popularly known medicinal plant Aeglemarmelos. The study includes the estimation of Ash content, protein, carbohydrate (sugar), vitamins and mineral contents (Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Ca, Na, K) of Bael fruit. The water extract was screened for the qualitative phytochemical analysis and finally HPTLC fingerprints at 350 nm. The fresh fruits were found a rich source of protein (6.91±0.11 g/100g), carbohydrate (22.55±0.15 g/100g) fiber (7.26±0.23 g/100g) and energy (133.14 Kcal/100g). The fruits were found to contain high calcium (86.69±0.01 mg/100g) content and may be considered as the rich source to facilitate the rehabilitation of bone problems in human being. The Na/K and Zn/Cu ratio were found to be 0.012 and 12.26 may attribute the medicinal properties in cardiovascular disorders. The water extract showed the presence of carbohydrates, proteins, sterols, alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, polyphenols and flavonoids. The proximate, nutritional and phytochemical attributes reveals that the fruits are not only acting as supplementary foods but is the tonic requirements of the tribal’s and deprived of poor Bhiwapur tahsil.
