Determination of nutritive value and analysis of mineral elements for some medicinally valued plants from Uttaranchal

Abstract

Study of different medicinally valued seeds of Nelumbo nucifera, Embelia ribes, Eugenia jambolana and leaves of Artocarpus heterophyllus showed Cr, K, Ca, Cu, Zn and Mn to be sufficient in seeds of N. nucifera which also have good nutritive value and are quite rich in carb ohydrates accompanied by enough protein, but are low in fat. E. ribes seeds have even a higher nutritive value with high carbohydrate, enough mineral elements but low protein. Rich in Mg and moderate in protein, the E. jambolana seeds have a moderate nutritive value. A. heterophyllus leaves are not rich in desired mineral elements except Na, and have a low nutrition value. However, on a dry matter basis they too have a high nutritive value and are used as fodder for livestock.