Analysis of nutrients and phytochemicals in some underutilized plants of Kargil District Ladakh

Abstract

Sustainable agricultural productivity is hampered by over-dependence on major staple food, climate change and land deterioration which contributing to global food insecurity and malnutrition. A principal cause of the multiple burdens of nutritional insecurity and malnutrition is due to improper diet. Current food system produces major quantities but not all the needed nutrients and hence plant-based food is required for sustainable and healthier diets. Now the focus is shifting towards the underutilized wild plants based food to meet the nutritional needs of seven billion people around the world. Underutilized wild plants play a pivotal role in human life since time immemorial and has been dependent for various necessities. Ladakh, cold desert region of India has unique biodiversity with large number of underutilized wild edible and medicinal plants. Some of the underutilized wild plants with high significance importance such as Allium carolinianum, Cicer microphyllum, Fagopyrum tataricum, Hippophae rhamnoides, Mentha longifolia, Rheum spiciforme, Rumex patientia, Sonchus oleraceus, Taraxacum officinale, Thymus serpyllum and Urtica dioica. These plants revealed the presence of a good amount of macronutrient (protein, carbohydrate, fat, amino acids, ash and moisture) and micronutrient (vitamins and minerals). They also contain ample amount of phytochemicals that not only have therapeutic application, but also could be employed for the developments of functional food and drugs. The present study provides significant information about the nutrients and biologically active compounds of underutilized plants that can be further utilized in the food and pharmacological industries for the socio-economic benefits for the people of Ladakh. newline