Studies on nutritional profiling of lesser-known wild edible plants of Central Himalayan regions of Uttarakhand

Less explored and underutilized plants have always been a great source of food, feed, medicine and other daily necessities in the day to day life of local inhabitants since the inception of human civilization. these underutilized plants generally grow in the nature, without human interference and are rated as pure and least contaminated. Bioprospecting is a useful science to classify the composition of useful and harmful bio-chemicals into categories of food quality potential for human health. the nutrients present in such high-value but less explored plants are very useful due to their therapeutic properties, role in health improvement and prevention of diseases with nearly no side effects. Plant parts like fruits, flowers, leaves, seeds, underground roots and bulbs etc of these underutilized plants are used. Himalayas in Uttarakhand has a rich diversity of such plants which contain adequate amount of nutrients with their vital role in body function, growth and health improvement.

A study was conducted for analysis of nutritional properties of the less explored and underutilized plants like Amaranthus spinosus, Chenopodium album, Chenopodium giganteum, Chenopodium quinoa, Hippophae salicifolia, Cleome viscosa, Allium stracheyi, Cyclenthera pidata, Colocasia esculenta, Discorea deltoidea, Fagopyrum esculentum, Perilla frutescens, Rhododendron arboreum, Rubus ellipticus. Biochemical profiling revealed that these plants are rich sources of energy and also rich in all essential nutrients like proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals and dietary fibres. This study may be helpful in sustainable and scientific utilization, and creating general awareness among locals on the nutritional value of these less explored and underutilized plants.