NISCAIR Online Periodicals Repository Collection: IJTK Vol.09(4) [October 2010]

Plants used by the rural communities of district Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 22:58:59 GMT

Title: Plants used by the rural communities of district Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh

Authors: Sharma, Jyotsana; Painuli, RM; Gaur, R D

Abstract: Throughout the globe, the traditional knowledge system has gained prime importance in context with conservation, sustainable development, and search for new utilization patterns of plant resources. In this context, the ethnomedicinal plants and the traditional healthcare system prevalent amongst the aboriginal and the rural population of various societies contribute significant role. Considering the importance of herbal medicines, the paper pertains to the studies conducted in the rural areas of Shahjahanpur district, Uttar Pradesh. The study is based on extensive field surveys, plant collection, and the interviews with the local folks particularly the Vaidhyas, women folk, and the senior inhabitants. In all, over 70 plant species belonging to 32 families have been enumerated, which are found to be of common use by the locales.

Page(s): 798-803

Evaluation of nutritional value and protein quality of an under-utilized tribal food legume

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 22:58:59 GMT

Title: Evaluation of nutritional value and protein quality of an under-utilized tribal food legume

Authors: Vadivel, V; Pugalenthi, M

Abstract: The effect of various common processing methods on the nutritional value, antinutritional compounds, biological value and protein quality of dehulled seeds of an under-utilized tribal food legume, Tamarindus indica L. was investigated. The Dehulled Tamarind Seeds (DTS) were found to contain 23.19% of protein, 8.8% of lipid, 7.2% of fiber, 4.6% of ash and 56.1% of carbohydrates. Although, various antinutritional compounds were present in the DTS, the autoclaving treatment was found to effectively reduce their maximum levels without affecting the nutritional value of DTS. When considering the biological value, the rats fed with diet containing autoclaved DTS exhibited better growth performance. Moreover, the protein quality of DTS such as True Digestibility, Biological Value, Net Protein Utilization and Utilizable Proteins were also significantly improved by autoclaving treatment when compared to other processing methods such as soaking, cooking and roasting.

Page(s): 791-797

Some fodder yielding trees of Meghalaya, Northeast India

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 22:58:59 GMT

Title: Some fodder yielding trees of Meghalaya, Northeast India

Authors: Chhetri, R B

Abstract: Holstian Friesian and Jersey cross breeds of cattle are being reared for milk and manure by stall-feeding practices in several places and altitudes of Meghalaya. Both the types of breeds can yield more milk for longer duration during each lactation period, on account of which the dairy development scheme at private level has been much flourished in Meghalaya. Cattle breeders usually supplement the paddy straw and dry grasses during lean period (October-May) by green fodder lopped from 126 tree species belonging to 77 genera under 46 families. These fodder trees have their respective palatability and lopping cycle.

Page(s): 786-790

Traditional medicine of the Nicobarese

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 22:58:59 GMT

Title: Traditional medicine of the Nicobarese

Authors: Verma, Chitralekha; Bhatia, Shashi; Srivastava, Shuchi

Abstract: Medical beliefs and practices play an important role in every culture. All cultures have a set of ideas for defining and treating disease and ways of prescribing cures. The paper deals with the traditional system of medicine prevalent among the Nicobarese of Car Nicobar Island. The aim of the study was to cover all the aspects related to their traditional system which includes their traditional beliefs and practices regarding health and sickness, home remedies, magico-religious treatment and plant folk medicine. Although Tsunami has caused total destruction of the medical infrastructure, tremendous loss to the villages many of which are almost washed away, but this vast knowledge of ethnomedicine certainly is a most valuable thing to treasure before it gets lost with the passage of time.

Page(s): 779-785