: Morphological Studies and Nutritional Profiling of Important Underutilized Fruit Crops of North-east region
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Date
2020-11-03
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College of Horticulture and Forestry, Central Agricultural University, Pasighat
Abstract
To execute and explore the hidden potential of underutilized fruit crops in terms of nutritional values with the objective to strengthen the nutritional security and to bring out a standard food composition database. The present investigation was carried out to study the fruit morphology and nutrient content to acquire information on its physical characteristics, nutritional and anti-nutritional compositions of forty four (44) underutilized fruit species endemic to the north-east India.
In regard to morphological attributes, Dillenia indica recorded the highest fruit weight (407.00 ± 8.24 g) followed by Citrus medica (345.40 ± 10.62 g), both apparently resulting in higher fruit volume (373.33 ± 9.43 ml) and (313.33 ± 9.43 ml) respectively. The maximum fruit length (15.50 ± 0.75 cm) and breadth (10.35 ± 0.05 cm) were also observed in Citrus medica and Dillenia indica. The maximum seed weight (16.94 ± 1.25 g), seed length (4.06 ± 0.15 cm) and seed breadth (2.92 ± 0.03 cm) were found in Spondias pinnata. Dillenia indica recorded the highest number of seeds per fruit (148.83 ± 4.09) as well as highest pulp weight (350.95 ± 8.24 g). Both the Rubus species i.e. Rubus rosifolius and Rubus ellipticus exhibited the highest pulp percentage (98.12 ± 0.48) and (97.65 ± 0.53). The maximum peel weight (288.71 ± 8.62 g) as well as peel thickness (2.08 ± 0.17 cm) was observed in Citrus medica resulting in lowest pulp percentage (15.32 ± 0.23). Highest dry matter (77.20 ± 0.39%) was found in Castanopsis hystrix.
Pertaining to nutritional compositions, Elaeagnus umbellata was found to be high in TSS content (24.50 ± 0.41 °Brix), free fatty acid (67.79 ± 1.75 mg KOH/g) as well as rich source of vitamin A (136.22 ± 1.44 mg/100 g) i.e. (4536.02 ± 48.07 IU). Calamus tenuis exhibited the highest titratable acidity (14.41 ± 1.05%). Terminalia chebula was found to be a good source of reducing sugar (8.38 ± 0.07%) and total flavonoid (445.20 ± 1.18 mg/100 g). Spondias pinnata was found to be rich in total carbohydrate (12.51 ± 0.22%) as well as vitamin C (74.16 ± 5.33 mg/100 g). Castanopsis hystrix was found to exhibit highest starch (1764.84 ± 8.85 mg/100 g) as well as cellulose (711.62 ± 7.68 mg/100 g). Total free amino acid (206.67 ± 8.22 mg/100 g) and crude protein (9.92 ± 0.29%) was found maximum in Viburnum foetidum. Pigments viz. chlorophyll, carotenoid and anthocyanin were found maximum in Phoebe cooperiana (0.47 to 0.01 mg/g), Rhus semialata (19.10 ± 0.29 mg/100 g) and Prunus nepalensis (269.01 ± 5.23 mg/100 g) respectively. Highest vitamin B1 (0.22 ± 0.01 mg/100 g) and E (52.53 ± 0.51 mg/100 g) were recorded in Rubus rosifolius and Garcinia lanceifolia. Artocarpus lakoocha was found to be a good source of antioxidant activity (84.58 ± 2.38%) closely followed by Spondias pinnata (84.09 ± 0.62%). Machilus edulis possessed highest fat content (36.44 ± 1.23%) resulting in highest energy (372.71 ± 9.92 Kcal/100 g).
With regard to antinutritional factors, Canarium strictum exhibited the highest phenols (902.00 ± 5.72 mg/100 g). Maximum tannins (1059.33 ± 17.46 mg/100 g) and alkaloids (274.27 ± 6.31 mg/100 g) were found in Terminalia chebula and Streblus asper. It was observed that the species Castanopsis hystrix and Viburnum foetidum exhibited higher content of cyanogen (31.04 ± 1.28 mg/100 g) and phytic acid (10.64 ± 0.30 mg/100 g) respectively. The result indicated that all the fruit species studied possessed varying contents in nutritional and antinutritional compositions.
Description
To execute and explore the hidden potential of underutilized fruit crops in terms of nutritional values with the objective to strengthen the nutritional security and to bring out a standard food composition database. The present investigation was carried out to study the fruit morphology and nutrient content to acquire information on its physical characteristics, nutritional and anti-nutritional compositions of forty four (44) underutilized fruit species endemic to the north-east India.