Tewari VP

Review Article

J Plant Chem and Ecophysiol. 2016; 1(1): 1004.

Some Important Fruit Trees and Shrubs of Hot Arid Regions of Rajasthan State in India, Their Uses and Nutritive Values

Tewari VP*

Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Shimla, India

*Corresponding author: V.P. Tewari, Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Shimla, India

Received: February 16, 2016; Accepted: April 12, 2016; Published: April 13, 2016

Abstract

The wild plants assume significance as alternative food sources, predominantly in the areas receiving frequent droughts and famine. In many Indian states, majority of forest dwellers depend on forests for their annual food requirements. Cordia myxa, Zizyphus mauritiana, Salvadora oleoides are some of the important fruit bearing plant species found in hot arid region in India that provide food supplement and means of survival during time of hardships. Rural people in Rajasthan state of India have extensive knowledge about use of famine foods. The fruits of many plants are rich sources of protein and energy. For example, Ziziphus mauritiana is richer than apple in protein, phosphorous, calcium, carotene and vitamin C. However, they are often undervalued and underutilized. This article highlights the importance of some of these plants, their various end uses and nutritive values of their seeds and fruits.

Keywords: Alternative food plants; Nutritive values; Arid region; Rajasthan; India

Introduction

Non-Wood Forest Products (NWFP) are goods of biological origin other than wood, derived from forests, other wooded land and trees outside forests. Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP), another term frequently used to cover this vast array of animal and plant products, also include small wood and fuel wood [1]. NWFPs constitute an integral component of food for the communities dependent on forests. The role of NWFPs becomes more significant for less agriculture-dependent communities with small landholdings residing in remote forest villages.

Since time immemorial people have been dependent on the forests for various valuable biological resources such as timber, fuel wood, food resources, medicines and other extracts, many of which have no replacement by modern cultivation options. NWFPs play an important biological and social role in local food systems for the people living in and around forests as they depend heavily on forest resources to meet their day-to-day requirements. The communities living in the close vicinity of forests are especially dependent for their livelihood needs and food security. NWFPs are most extensively used to meet dietary shortfalls and to supplement the household income during particularly lean seasons.

Many agricultural communities suffer from seasonal food shortages, generally known as “hunger periods”. These commonly occur at the time of the year when stored food supplies have dwindled and new crops are only just arriving. During this period the consumption of NWFPs increases. In many Indian states, especially Bihar, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh, 80 percent of forest dwellers depend on forests for 25 to 50 percent of their annual food requirements. Out of the total NWFPs consumed, 49 percent are consumed as fruits, 26 percent as leaves, 16 percent as rhizomes and 5 percent as the entire plant [2].

The importance of wild plants in subsistence agriculture in the developing world as a food supplement and as a means of survival during times of drought and famine has been overlooked. Generally, the consumption of these ‘alternative-food’ has been under-estimated [3]. Rural people in India are endowed with a deep knowledge concerning the use of alternative plants when the staple food is in short supply and alternative food consumption is still very common in rural areas in Rajasthan.

There are about 30 plant species in arid zone known for their edible use and of these about 20 plant species are known for their edible fruits either raw or use as vegetable [4]. However, they are often undervalued and underutilized.

The objective of this article is to briefly summarize the information about the important and underutilized fruit bearing species from arid region of Rajasthan with reference to their uses and nutritional values.

Methodology

The information presented in this article was collected from literature review and interactions with the local people including women during field visits and surveys in arid districts of Rajasthan (Figure 1). The plant species were identified with the help of plant taxonomist and herbarium sheets. No independent lab work was done to determine nutritional value. The nutritional values reported in this paper (Table 1) have been taken from already published papers and, accordingly, references have been cited.

Table 1: Some Important Fruit Trees and Shrubs of Hot Arid Regions of Rajasthan State India and Nutritive Value.




  
    Species
    Sugar (%)
    Protein (%) 
    Carbohydrate (%) 
    Fat (%) 
    Fibre (%) 
    Vit. A (mg/100g) 
    Vit. B2 (mg/100g) 
    Vit. C (mg/100g) 
    Ca (mg/100g) 
    P (mg/100g) 
    Fe (mg/100g) 
    Energy (Kcal/100gm) 
  
  
    Balanites aegyptiaca 
    34.9
    4.9 
    69.9
    0.1
    3.5
    
    0.07
    46
    147
    58
    4
    300.1
  
  
    Calligonum polygonoides 
    46
    18
    71.1
    64
    9.1
    0.764
    0.7
    -
    670
    420
    12.7
    -
  
  
    Cordia myxa
    -
    2
    92
    2
    2
    -
    -
    -
    55
    275
    6
    394
  
  
    Salvadora oleoides
    -
    6
    76
    2
    2
    -
    -
    -
    630
    167
    8
    346
  
  
    Ziziphus mauritiana
    4.9-10
    0.8
    17
    0.3
    -
    0.02
    0.02
    76
    4
    9
    1.8
    73.9
  
  
    Source: Nour [5], Duhan, et al. [7], Chandra, et al. [8], Anon [6], Rathore [4].



Table 1:  Some Important Fruit Trees and Shrubs of Hot Arid Regions of Rajasthan State India and Nutritive Value.

Figure 1: Map of Rajasthan (study area) and its location in India.

    
    
    Figure 1:  Map of Rajasthan (study area) and its location in India.

Some Important Underutilized Fruit Bearing Trees and Shrubs of Hot Arid Region of Rajasthan State in India

Balanites aegyptiaca (Linn.) Del.: The species belongs to family ‘Zygophyllaceae’. It is distributed in open sandy plains of Pali and Jodhpur districts. It is a slow growing, small, not very spreading, spiny and medium size tree or shrub (Figure 2). Its edible Parts are Fruit, Young shoots and leaves. Yield is 100 to 150 fruits/mature tree. Flowering is observed during December-March while fruiting is in March-July.

Figure 2: Balanites aegyptiaca tree.

    
    
    Figure 2:  Balanites aegyptiaca tree.

Ripe fruits are eaten raw/sun-dried and stored like dates, made into sweetmeats or fruit juice (mixed with water) and mixed with cereals, or fermented to alcoholic beverages. Young shoots and leaves are used as vegetable, added to soups, melon seeds/peanut pastes and used as a relish. Nutritional value of the fruits is [5]: Protein (4.9%), carbohydrate (69.9%), sugar (34.9%), fat (0.1%), fibre (3.5%), vitamin B2 (0.07mg/100g), vitamin C (46mg/100g), phosphorous (58mg/100g), calcium (147mg/100g), iron (4mg/100g) and energy (300.1Kcal/100g).

Calligonum polygonoides Linn.: It is a member of family ‘Polygonaceae’. It is a typical sand dune plant, found in whole of arid zone viz., Jodhpur, Barmer and Jaiselmer. It is a rigid, much branched, leafless shrub. Its edible Parts are flowers. Flower buds abort and drop off in substantial quantities in May which are collected. The flower buds are used as salad with curd (Raita) or fried and eaten. Flowering and fruiting is in April-May. Unripe fruits of C. polygonoides have a vast nutritive value [6] such as protein (18%), carbohydrate (71.1%), sugar (46%), fat (64%), fiber (9.1%), Vitamin B2 (0.7mg/100g), calcium (670mg/100g), phosphorus (420mg/100g) and iron (12.7mg/100g).

Cordia myxa Roxb.: Cordia myxa (family Boraginaceae) is widely distributed in arid zone, mostly cultivated. It is a small to moderate-sized deciduous tree with a short bole and spreading dense crown (Figure. 3). Edible Parts are Fruit and Flowers. Fruits are harvested at tender green immature stage for vegetable and are also used in pickles. Ripe fruits are also consumed. The floral buds and flowers are cooked as vegetable. Nutritional value of fruits is [7,8]: Protein (2%), carbohydrates (92%), fat (2%), fibre (2%), phosphorous (275mg/100g), calcium (55mg/100g), iron (6mg/100g), zinc (2mg/100g), manganese (2mg/100g) and energy (394Kcal/100g).

Figure 3: Cordia myxa.

    
    
    Figure 3:  Cordia myxa.

Salvadora oleoides Linn.: Salvadora oleoides (family Salvadoraceae) forms dominant part of vegetation in Barmer, Jodhpur, Jaiselmer, Bikaner, Churu, Nagaur and Jalore districts. It is a large shrub or a small tree with short twisted trunk and drooping branches (Figure 4). Fruit yield is 10-15Kg fresh fruits per mature tree. Flowering is observed in March-April while fruiting in May- June. Fruits are plucked or felled by shaking the trees vigorously. Ripe fruits are sweet and are eaten raw. Nutritional value of fruits is [7]: Protein (6%), carbohydrate (76%), fat (2%), fibre (2%), zinc (2mg/100g), phosphorous (167mg/100g), calcium (630mg/100g), manganese (2mg/100g), iron (8mg/100g) and energy (346Kcal/100g).

Figure 4: Salvadora oleoides tree.

    
    
    Figure 4:  Salvadora oleoides tree.

Ziziphus mauritiana Linn.: It belongs to the family ‘Rhamnaceae’ and is distributed in whole of arid zone and is locally known as ‘Ber’. It is a small evergreen, much branched tree or often a large bushy shrub. Its edible Parts are Fruit and seed cotyledons. During prime bearing age of 10-20 years, the yield of different cultivars ranges between 50- 80Kg fruit /tree in dry areas under rainfed conditions. Flowering and fruiting time is September-March.

Fully ripe fruits are gathered in the beginning of the winter months, dried, ground and sieved. The powdered form is eaten either alone or mixed with molasses or bajra flour. Products such as squash, jam, candy and ber powder have been prepared from the fruits. Honey can be obtained from the flower nectar. It is also reported that the cotyledons are removed from the seeds, fried and eaten separately or mixed with bajra. Nutritional value of fruits is [8]: Protein (0.8%), carbohydrate (17%), fat (0.3%), sugar (4.9-10%), phosphorous (9mg/100g), calcium (4mg/100g), iron (1.8mg/100g), vitamin A (0.02mg/100g), vitamin B2 (0.02 mg/100g), vitamin C (76mg/100g) and energy (73.9Kcal/100g).

Leptadenia pyrotechnica Forssk. Decne: Commonly known as Kheep, it belongs to family ‘Apocynaceae’. It is distributed throughout the arid zone viz. Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaiselmer. It is a much branched often leafless erect shrub (Figure. 5). Its edible Part is Tender fruit. Flowering time is August-December and fruiting time is November- March. Fruit is collected and cooked as vegetable.

Figure 5: Leptadenia pyrotechnica.

    
    
    Figure 5:  Leptadenia pyrotechnica.

Commiphora wightii (Arnott) Bhandari: Commonly known as guggul (Burseraceae family), it is a much branched spinous shrub or a small tree (Figure 6). In Indian sub-continent, Commiphora species occur in India and Pakistan. In Rajasthan, it occurs in the districts of Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Barmer, Sirohi, Pali, Nagour, Sikar, Churu, Bikaner and Jhunjhunu. Plants in low density are also found in Jalore, Siwana, Jaswantpura, Bhinmal, Jassi, Bisala, Chohatan, Udaipur, Alwar, Ajmer, Sawai Madhopur, Bundi, Kota and Jaipur.

Figure 6: Commiphora wightii.

    
    
    Figure 6:  Commiphora wightii.

Guggul grows in a wide range of habitats. The plant grows wild in the arid, rocky tracts of North-western region of India as well as in the ravines of Chamber and Mahi rivers in Rajasthan and Gujarat, respectively. It occurs not only in the extremely arid areas such as Jaisalmer, Barmer etc. (± 100 mm average rainfall) but also in subhumid regions along deciduous/ scrub forests such as Ajmer, Falna, and other area (400-500mm average annual rainfall).

Guggul gum is a mixture of 61% resins, 29.3% gum, 6.1% water, 0.6% volatile oil and 3.2% foreign matter [9]. The important biologically active principles of C21 or C27 steroids are: guggulsterol-I, guggulsterol-II guggulsterol-III, guggulsterol-IV guggulsterol-V, E-guggulsterone, Z-guggulsterone and related ketones.

It has been used as an inactive pharmaceutical ingredient, binding agent, anti-obesity agent, and cholesterol-reducing agent. Therapeutic uses include treatment of nervous diseases, leprosy, muscle spasms, ophthalmia, skin disorders, ulcerative pharyngitis, hypertension, ischaemia, and urinary disorders. It is also used in incense, lacquers, varnishes, and ointments, as a fixative and in perfumes.

The demand and supply gap of gum guggul is increasing very fast. According to an estimate, the domestic demand of gum guggul is to the tune of 300tons while the supply is only 75tons. To meet the domestic demand, presently India is importing substantial quantities of guggul. As a result of increasing exploitation, in the year 1994, the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Govt. of India banned the export of this high valued medicinal plant species.

Guggul, once a luxuriantly growing species in the arid and semi arid areas, has become an endangered species because of its slow growing nature, poor seed setting, lack of cultivation, poor seed germination rate and excessive tapping for gum extraction. The growing importance of Guggul gum in organized sector of pharmaceutical industries in India has led to ruthless exploitation by the drug collectors and contractors. Due to lack of cultivation and unscientific & excessive tapping for extraction of gum, it is included in the Red Data Book of IUCN.

Cassia angustifolia Vahl.: Locally known as Senna (family Caesalpinaceae), it is an important medicinal shrub which has successfully been grown in hot arid areas. Senna is a reputed drug in Unani medicine, which has also been adopted by the pharmacopoeias of the world. It is a multi branched, erect and bushy shrub, growing up to one meter in height (Figure 7). It is perennial in nature and can be harvested up to 2-3 years if cultivated once.

Figure 7: Cassia angustifolia.

    
    
    Figure 7:  Cassia angustifolia.

Leaves are pinnate, flowers are bright yellow in colour, and pods are green when young and dark brown to black when mature. It is valued as a medicine for its cathartic properties and is especially useful in habitual costiveness. Its leaves and pods are traditionally used as purgatives.

The main purgative constituents in the leaves are anthraquinone derivatives and their glucosides. Leaves contain glycosides, sennoside A, sennoside B, sennoside C and sennoside D [10]. Leaves are also used as a safe laxative.

It can be cultivated on all types of soils including salt affected soils. However, optimum growth was observed in well drained sandy loam to loam soil at pH 7-8.5. It does not come under waterlogged and frosty conditions. It grows well under rainfed conditions and requires one weeding. C. angustifolia performs well on marginal soils and yielded good harvest of leaves with least cultivation efforts.

It gives good economic returns to the farmers and local people even in severe drought conditions when agricultural crops fail which ultimately helps in the poverty alleviation of rural poor.

About 6000 tons of C. angustifolia dried leaves and pods are exported from India to other countries every year. The market value of dried leaves is ranging from Rs. 15 to Rs. 60 per kg depending on the leaf quality.

Aloe vera: The scientific name of Aloe Vera is Aloe Barbadensis Miller. The word ‘aloe’ has its roots in the Arabic word ‘alloeh’, which means ‘radiance’. A native plant of Somalia, Aloe Vera (family Liliaceae) also figures prominently in Egyptian, Chinese, Greek, Indian and Christian literature. Aloe Vera is a succulent plant. It is one of the 250 known species of aloes. It is stem-less plant which can produce up to a height of about 80cm to 100cm that spreads for root sprouts and balancing.

Aloe Vera leave is fleshy, lance-shaped and thick. It is forever gray - green and green in color (Figure 8). Flowers are made on a spine about 90cm tall that includes tubular corolla in yellow shade which is up to 2 to 3cm tall [11]. The sap of the Aloe is a thick, mucilaginous gel, which is used medicinally.

Figure 8: Aloe vera.

    
    
    Figure 8:  Aloe vera.

The gel found in the leaves is used for soothing minor burns, wounds, and various skin conditions like eczema and ringworm. The gel’s effect is nearly immediate, plus it also said to reduce the chance of any infection. It contains amino acids, vitamins, calcium, enzymes, sodium, nitrogen and more.

It can be cultivated on all types of soils including salt affected soils. The water requirement of this spp. is low and grows well on nonirrigated lands. It grows in arid climates. However, it is most suited to tropical dry to moist habitats. It can also be grown indoors and is frost sensitive. It is propagated through root suckers in July-August. The plant takes approx. four years to reach maturity and has a life span of about twelve years. After one year of planting, leaves can be harvested every 3 months leaving 3-4 leaves on the plants. The yield is 50 tons/ ha fresh leaves which is being sold in market @ Rs. 3/ Kg.

Jatropha curcas Linn.: It belongs to family ‘Euphorbiaceae’ and is native to Mexico and Central America, but has adapted well to Indian conditions (Figure 9). It is a fast growing and long-lived plant, easy to propagate, found to be growing in many parts of the country, can grow and survive with minimum inputs in marginal land and not browsed by animals and seeds not eaten away by birds. Time taken for nut yield is between 2 to 5 years based on soil and rainfall conditions and yield varies from 0.5 to 3t/yr.

Figure 9: Jatropha carcus.

    
    
    Figure 9:  Jatropha carcus.

Seed contains moisture (6.2%), protein (18%), fat (38%), carbohydrates (17%), fibre (15.5%) and ash (5.3%) [12,13]. The oil content is 35-40% in the seeds and 50-55% in the kernal. Oil contains 21% saturated fatty acids and 79% unsaturated fatty acids. Jatropha oil mainly consists of triglycerides of oleic acid (34-45%), linoleic acid (31-43%) and palmitic acid (14-15%) [14]. It is unsuitable for human consumption. Its latex contains an alkaloid Known as “Jatrophine”. Oil is used for skin diseases and rheumatism. Roots are reported to be as an antidote for snake bite. Seeds are considered anthelmintic in Brazil [15]. The ether extract shows antibiotic activity against Styphylococcus oureus and E. coli.

Citrullus colocynthes Linn.: Belonging to family ‘cucurbitaceae’ and common on sandy tracts in the desert zone, it is perennial, tender climbing monoecious plant with 2-3tendrils. Leaves are deeply 3-5 lobate and both, the male & female flowers are yellow.

Fruits are globular, variegated, dark green with yellowish blotches. When ripe, it is filled with a dry spongy very bitter pulp. Fruits are bitter, pungent, cooling purgative, antipyretic, antihelminthic and are also used in flatulence (gas problems). It may be toxic if taken in large doses. Root powder is effective in jaundice, urinary diseases and rheumatism. Root extract is antidote to scorpion bite. Commercial drug “Colocynth” from dry pulp of fruit is cathartic.

Concluding Remarks

Sample survey in species occurring zones needs to be done for updating and cross-validation of data. Economics should be worked out based on the existing information of distribution, production and market rates. The existing markets, marketing network for various products and possible linkage must be explored to help farmers. Studies on value addition, long-term storage and shelf-life of the products required to be taken up on priority. Finally, focus should be on the quality control and certification of organically produced material.

References

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Citation: Tewari VP. Some Important Fruit Trees and Shrubs of Hot Arid Regions of Rajasthan State in India, Their Uses and Nutritive Values. J Plant Chem and Ecophysiol. 2016; 1(1): 1004. ISSN: 2572-4371

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