Journal of Molecular Pathophysiology DOI: 10.5455/jmp.20151111030040 www.scopemed.org 128 J Mol Pathophysiol ● 2015 ● Vol 4 ● Issue 4 Proximate and vitamin C analysis of wild edible plants consumed by Bodos of Assam, India Hwiyang Narzary 1 , Ananta Swargiary 2 , Sanjay Basumatary 3 ABSTRACT Aim: The State of Assam is gifted with diverse flora including thousands of wild edible plants. The consumption of a large variety of wild plants by Bodos, an ethnic group and dominant inhabitant of Bodoland Territorial Area Districts of Assam of North-East India, is a common practice since time immemorial. The objective of this study was to investigate the nutritional values of wild edible plants consumed by the Bodos of this region. Materials and Methods: In this study, twelve wild edible plants viz. Blumea lanceolaria (Roxb.) Druce, Stellaria media (L.), Glinus oppositifolius (L.) Aug. DC., Cryptolepis sinensis (Lour) Merr., Polygonum perfoliatum L., Oenanthe javanica (Blume) DC., Tetrastigma angustifolium (Roxb.), Antidesma acidum Retz., Drymaria cordata (L.) Willd.ex Schult., Eryngium foetidum L., Lippia javanica (Burm.f.) Spreng. and Enhydra fluctuans Lour. consumed by the Bodos were selected, scientifically identified and their proximate and vitamin C contents were determined using standard food analysis methods. Results: Proximate compositions were presented and the vitamin C content was found highest in T. angustifolium (79.06 ± 0.02 mg) and lowest in A. acidum (11.39 ± 0.0002 mg). All the results were based on 100 g fresh weight of the sample. Conclusion: In the present study, all the twelve plants have shown variable values of proximate composition and vitamin C contents. These plants could be a promising alternate food sources which are easily available, affordable and could provide several health benefits on consumption. KEY WORDS: Wild edible plants, proximate analysis, vitamin C, Bodos, North-East India. 1 Department of Biotechnology, Bodoland University, Kokrajhar, Assam, India 2 Department of Zoology, Bodoland University, Kokrajhar, Assam, India 3 Department of Chemistry, Bodoland University, Kokrajhar, Assam, India Address for correspondence: Sanjay Basumatary, Department of Chemistry, Bodoland University, Kokrajhar-783370, Assam, India. waytosanjay12@gmail.com Received: October 09, 2015 Accepted: November 04, 2015 Published: November 16, 2015 Original Research INTRODUCTION Plants have always been a source of inspiration and way of livelihood to human kind since time immemorial. Plant-derived and other natural product provided many novel bioactive molecules that are available in market today as medicines or food. The wild edible plants growing in their natural conditions have been a source of food to the rural people inhabiting to the remote areas of the world including India. With the explosion of human population, rapid urbanization as well as climatic changes, the agricultural lands are decreasing rapidly leading to the decrease of major crop productivity affecting our daily lives which ultimately may cause nutritional deficiency disorders and diseases [1]. The botanicals and nutritional content of a plant depends on the season, geography and climatic conditions of the habitats. Fresh, nutritious and healthy foods are the sole source of energy for proper growth and maintenance of physiological homeostasis in the body. It also acts as a defense system to many diseases by boosting the immune system of our body. Like other plants, wild edible plants also act as a vital component of human food that is consumed throughout the year. These plants not only serve as an alternative to staple food during periods of food deficit but also act as a valuable supplement for balanced diet and provide source of income generation to the poor families [2,3]. The importance of wild plants as food as well as medicines against many diseases such as jaundice, malaria, epilepsy, asthma etc. has been established by several ethnopharmacological studies all over the world [4,5]. In addition to meeting nutrient intake levels, consumption of fruits, vegetables and derived food products has several health benefits against chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, stroke and certain types of cancer [6]. Plants are potential sources of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and other important botanicals. Hence, wild edible plants are considered as one of the cheapest sources of energy for human consumption [7]. North-East (NE) India is known for its multi-ethnicity and rich biological diversity. With the geographical location of 89°50 / E to 96°10 / E and 24°30 / N to 28°10 / N, Assam is one among the richest biodiversity zones in NE India. As per Forest Survey of India 2011, the total area of Assam is 78,438 sq. km out of which 26,832 sq. km is outlined as forest area. The study area of the present work is Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) in Assam of NE India. BTAD consisting of four districts viz. Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Udalguri of Assam is occupied by Bodo, Rava, Garo, Nepali, Santhal, Rajbongshi, Orao etc. Bodos are an ethnic group, early settlers of Assam and they are the major and dominant inhabitant of the BTAD area [8,9]. Situated at the northern part of the River Brahmaputra and foothills of the Great Himalayas, BTAD is endowed with rich flora