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International Journal of Chemical Studies 2018; 6(4): 3320-3323

P-ISSN: 2349–8528 E-ISSN: 2321–4902 IJCS 2018; 6(4): 3320-3323 Underutilized vegetables as rich source of © 2018 IJCS Received: 14-05-2018 medicinal value: A boon for the pharmaceutical Accepted: 21-06-2018 industries and farmer income Rakesh Kumar Division of Vegetable Science & Floriculture, SKUAST, Jammu Rakesh Kumar, V Rajasree, Lalichetti Sagar, U Tripura, Karthick K, and Kashmir, India Karthick R and Prasath G

V Rajasree Department of Vegetable Crops, Abstract Horticulture College and In this modern era, there is generally an increased demand of antioxidant, calories and rich Research Institute, TNAU, quality, healthy and nutritious source of food for alleviating the problem of malnutrition and to cope up Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India with ageing disease like cancer. Underutilized crops are undervalued or neglect “minor crops” that are already cultivated, but are underutilized regionally or globally given their still relatively low global Lalichetti Sagar production and market value. These crops are important source of valuable nutritional and medicinal Division of Agronomy, components, which are often lacking in staple crops. These nutritional and medicinal components are SKUAST, Jammu and isolated and used in pharmaceutical industries for synthesis of cancer drugs. Exploitation of these Kashmir, India underutilized wild resources is an important way of income and food, especially for the poor farmers who

U Tripura are under employed. Department of Spice and Plantation crops, Horticulture Keywords: Food and nutritional security, minor traditional crops, doubling income, pharmaceutical values College and Research Institute, TNAU, Coimbatore, Tamil Introduction Nadu, India Agriculture is under increasing pressure to produce greater quantity of food, feed and bio-fuel

Karthick K on limited land resources for the projected nine billion people on the planet by 2050 [13] Department of Vegetable Crops, [Godfray et al., 2010] . It is envisioned that agricultural production has to increased by 70% Horticulture College and by 2050 to cope with an estimated 40% increase in world population [Bruinsma, 2009] [5]. This Research Institute, TNAU, increasing demand can be fulfilled by efficient utilizing the nutritional and medicinal Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India properties of underutilized vegetables. Currently underutilized food sources ranging from

Karthick R minor grains and pulses, root and tuber crops and fruits and vegetables to non-timber forest Department of Vegetable Crops, products have the potential to make a substantial contribution to food and nutritional security, Horticulture College and to protect against internal and external market disruptions and climate uncertainties, and lead Research Institute, TNAU, to better ecosystem functions and services, thus enhancing sustainability [Keatinge et al., Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India 2010] [20]. A wider use of neglected and undervalued crops and species, either intercropped

Prasath G with main staples in cereal-based systems or as stand- alone crops, would provide multiple Department of Vegetable Crops, options to build temporal and spatial heterogeneity into uniform cropping systems, thus Horticulture College and enhancing resilience to biotic and abiotic stress factors and ultimately leading to a more Research Institute, TNAU, sustainable supply of diverse and nutritious food. Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India Many traditional or indigenous vegetables are characterized by a high nutritional value compared with global vegetables like tomato and cabbage [Keatinge et al., 2011] [21]. As

source of essential , micronutrients, protein and other phytonutrients, traditional vegetables and underutilized crops have the potential to play a major role in obtaining nutritional security. Apart from their commercial, medicinal and cultural value, traditional underutilized vegetables such as Amarnath (Amaranthus Spp.), Africal night shade (Solanum scabrum), Asian (Solanum melogena) and African (Solanum aethiopicum) eggplant, drumstick

tree (Moringa oleifera), Water spinach (), Malabar spinach (Basella alba), winged ( tetragonolobus) and many gourd species are considered important for sustainable food production as they reduce the impact of production systems on the environment. Many of these crops are hardy, adapted to specific marginal soil and climatic Correspondence conditions, and can be grown with minimum external inputs [De la Peña et al. 2011 and Rakesh Kumar [11, 16] Division of Vegetable Science & Hughes et al., 2013] . Floriculture, SKUAST, Jammu and Kashmir, India ~ 3320 ~ International Journal of Chemical Studies

In Eastern Africa and Southeast Asia selected traditional , and A. One big sweet gherkin consists of vegetables are becoming an increasingly attractive food group 114 micrograms of beta carotene. A small sweet gherkin for the wealthier segments of the population and are slowly contain 7.1 micrograms of vitamin K which is 8 percent of the moving out of the underutilized category into the commercial 90 micrograms of vitamin K women need each day and 6 mainstream [Weinberger, 2007] [38]. percent of the 120 micro grams men require on a daily basis. A medium size gherkin delivers 12 miligrams of vitamin K Nutritional and medicinal values of underutilized and large sweet gherkin supplies 16.5 micrograms. vegetables amarnathus Amaranth is an annual or short lived perennial IVY Gourd (Coccinia grandis) distributed worldwide in warm humid regions. Amaranthus Ivy gourd is known as kundru. Fruits are rich in lycopene have been reported to contain 17.5-18.3% protein (5.68 mg / 100 g), β-carotene (2.24 mg / 100 g) and leaves (dry-weight basis) of which 5% is lysine, an essential amino contain protein (3.3-4.9g), (8000-18000 IU). Fruits acid that is lacking in most diets based on cereals and tubers. are antidiabetic and having antioxidant property. In Ayurveda, protein levels (dry weight basis) have been reported as it is used for skin eruption, tongue sores and earache. 27% of Amarathus blitum, 28% for Amaranthus hybridus, 30% for Amaranthus caudatus and 33% for Amaranthus Sweet Gourd (Momordica cochinchinensis) tricolor. The cooked leaves which are not mixed with other Sweet gourd is a member of Cucurbitaceae family whose foods have been reported to contain about 8% protein, 4% tender fruits and younger leaves are edible. Fruits are rich in . Amaranthus serves as an inexpensive rich protein, and vitamin A. Fruit and leave are having source of protein and dietary fibre [Shukla et al. 2010] [35]. medicinal properties to cure ulceration, lumbago and fracture Vegetable amaranth is also an important source of Vitamins, of bone. Roots are rich in saponin and bessisterol which may especially pro-vitamin A, the lack of which results in a most be used in pharmaceutical industries. Seeds are used to treat serious nutritional deficiency in the tropics and cause to swelling, ulcer and abscesses. blindness in thousands of children each year. The leaves are good source of vitamin C, K and folate. Amaranthus spp. Karchikai (M. cymbalaria) contains 3 times more vitamin C calcium, and niacin than Karchikai used as vegetable and having high nutraceutical spinach. It contains 18 times more vitamin A, 20 times more values [Kulkarni et al. 1992] [24]. This plant is a perennial calcium and 7 times more iron when compared to lettuce. climber available only during the Kharif and Rabi season and Amaranthus leaves also constitute high levels of carotene and found in South Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnatka, micronutrients such as sodium, copper, manganese, chloride Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamilnadu. The crop was along with phytochemicals like phenolic compounds and considered a weed initially but due to medicinal value of its isothiocyanates which possess strong antioxidant properties tubers, it is used as vegetable. Not only the fruits even leaves and have been reported to help in the prevention and can also be used as leafy vegetable [Kirtikar & Bashu 1993] suppression of diseases such as cancer, arteriosclerosis and [23]. It is not commercially cultivated due to lack of quality of ageing. As antioxidants, phenolic compounds acts as free planting material. It is rich source of Vitamin C, fibre and radical scavangers and act to prevent diseases which follow beta carotene and iron and calcium content. It is having free radical mechanism in humans. Among the group of medicinal properties such as Antidiarrhoel, Hepatoprotective, flavonoids, quercetin has been reported to be strong Antidiabetic, Nephroprotective, Antiallergic, Antimicrobial antioxidant. It has been found to chelate metals, scavenge etc. The calcium content of Karchikai is three times higher oxygen free radical and prevent oxidation of low density than that of bitter gourd. The ascorbic acid content of lipoprotein in vitro studies. Vegetable amarnathus is Karchikai is two times higher than that of bitter gourd which recommended as a good source of fibre for patients with can be used to meet the shortage of vitamin C consumption. constipation. The potassium content is also two times higher than that of bitter gourd [Gopalan et al. 1994] [14]. Not only the fruits, the Pointed Gourd (Trichosanthes dioica) tubers and leaves of this crop are also used for therapeutic Pointed gourd is an important crop of Cucurbitaceae family uses as these contain flavonoids, steroids, tri-terpenes, grown extensively in river beds of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West saponins. Tubers contain sterols, triterpenes, cardiac Bengal and Assam in India [Chadha, 2000] [6]. Pointed gourd glycosides, and saponins. The crop can be used as a weapon as “King of gourds” having high nutrient content and against malnutrition and hunger. medicinal value. Pointed gourds leaves juice is used as tonic, febrifuge in edema, alopecia and in subacute cases of Basella (Basella Alba, Basella rubra) enlargement of liver [Nadkarni et al., 1996] [27]. According to Basella or vine spinach is popular tropical leafy green Ayurveda, leaves of the are used as antipyretic, vegetable, commonly grown as backyard in the home diuretic, cardiotonic, laxative, antiulcer etc. The various gardens. Vine spinach belong to the family basellaceae chemical constituent present in T. dioca are vitamin A, [Rathee et al, 2010] [32]. It has two chief cultivars, Basella Vitamin C, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, mixture of noval Alba (green stem and deep green leaves) and Basella rubra peptides, proteins, tetra and pentacylic triterpenes etc [Nitin (purplish stem and dark green leaves with pink veins) [Cook, kumar et al., 2012] [28]. 2010] [8]. The medicinal value of Basella alba had earlier reviewed by Adhikari et al, (2012), Kumar et al, (2013) [1,25]. Gherkin (Cucumis sativus var. anguria) Basella Alba is good source of vitamin A, C, B, Ca, Mg, Fe Gherkin is one kind of cucumber with almost all the nutrients and several vital antioxidants in the plant. The plant consists present in a cucumber. It consist average amount of calories the essential amino acids like arginine, iso-leucine, leucine, and which helps to maintain weight and reduces risk of lysine, threonine and tryptophan along with several vitamins, serious problems like heart disease and cancer. It helps to fuel minerals and a low percentage of soluble oxalates. Major the intake of major nutrients like folate, iron, sodium, biological activities exhibited by Basella alba is androgenic,

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anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, antioxidant, abundantly in hot, humid equatorial countries, like India, anticancer, antiviral, CNS depressant, haepato protective and Burma, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Philippines. It is also called a wound healing properties due to presence of B - sitosterol and wonder legume as it has the high protein content in the seeds lupeol in the plant (Gupta et al., 2008 and Saleem et al., 2001) and therefore considered as a versatile legume [15, 33]. (Peyachoknagul, 1989) [30]. The winged bean is an underutilised species but has the potential to become a major Elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus campanulatus) multi-use food crop. The entire winged bean plant is edible. Amorphophallus campanulatus commonly known as The leaves, , roots, and bean pods can be eaten raw or “Jimikand”, Elephant foot yam” is one of the underutilized cooked; the pods are edible even when raw and unripe. The aroid of araceae family. It is tuberous, stout indigenous seeds are edible after cooking. Each of these parts contains used in ayurvedic medicine system for treating various human vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and iron, among other ailments. The corms are dry, acrid, pungent; increases both nutrients. The tender pods, which are the most widely eaten appetite and taste; digestive, antihelmintic and aphrodisiac; part of the plant, are best when eaten before they exceed 2.5 useful in vitiated conditions of vata and kapha, elephantiasis, centimetres (1.0 in) in length. The young leaves can be picked inflammations, haemorrhoids, haemorrhages, dysentery, and prepared as a , similar to spinach. The splenopathy, amenorrhoea, seminal weakness, fatigue, nutrient rich, tuberous roots have a nutty flavour. They are anaemia and general debility (Jain et al., 2009, Ramalingam about 20% protein; winged bean roots have more protein than et al., 2010) [19, 31]. The fresh corms are applied externally as many other root vegetables. The leaves and flowers are also an irritant to treat acute rheumatism. The corm is a hot high in protein (10–15%). The seeds are about 35% protein carminative in the form of a pickle. It contains betulinic acid, and 18% . The great content of niacin present in the β- sitisterol, stigmasterol, triacotane, lupeol, and β- sitosterol constitution of Winged helps in reducing the formation palmitate (Ramalingam et al., 2010) [31]. The corms are of blood clots by reducing platelet aggregation. This means it reported to posses antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic will reduce the risks of cardiovascular disorders arising out of activities due to presence of a diterpenoid namely the condition by keeping the levels of lipoprotein, salviasperanol and amblyone, a triterpenoids (Anonymous apolipoprotein under control. 1985) [1]. The ethanol and aqueous extract of corms showed antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity (CCl4 induced Conclusion hepatic damage). The tuberous roots of the plant possess Underutilized vegetable crops require special attention and blood purifier properties and have been used traditionally for must be popularized in order to utilize their potential to treat thetreatment of piles, abdominal disorders, and tumours, many lifestyle related diseases. Research in the direction of enlargement of spleen, asthma and rheumatism (Kirtikar and domestication and utilization is of profound importance as far Basu, 1989) [23]. as nutritive value is concerned. The increase in area and production of these vegetable crops will not only provide Drumstick (Moringa oleifera) nutritional security and save money on import but also export Moringa oleifera is an important multipurpose tropical tree of fresh vegetable crops and seed in further expected to boost under-recognized for its nutritional and medicinal properties. region economy. Underutilized vegetable crops also provide The Moringa plant has been consumed by humans throughout many fold employment opportunities in agro-based industries, the century in diverse culinary ways (Iqbal et al., 2006) [17]. packaging, storage, preservation, canning and transportation. The leaves of Moringa oleifera can be eaten fresh, cooked, or stored as a dried powder for many months reportedly without References any major loss of its nutritional value (Arabshahi-D et al, 1. Adhikari R, Kumar N, Shruthi SD. A review on 2007; Fahey, 2005) [3, 12]. medicinal importance of Basella Alba L. International Epidemiological studies have indicated that Moringa oleifera Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research. leaves are a good source of nutrition and exhibit anti- 2012; 4:110-114. inflammatory, anti-ulcer, anti-atherosclerotic and 2. Anonymous, Wealth of India, A Dictionary of Indian anticonvulsant activities (Chumark et al., 2008; DanMalam et Raw Materials and Industrial Products, National Inst. Sci. al., 2001; Dahiru et al., 2006) [7, 10, 9]. For centuries and in Comm, CSIR, New Delhi, 1985. many cultures around the world, the medicinal usage of the 3. Arabshahi-D, Devi S, Urooj DV. Evaluation of Moringa has been used to treat problems such as skin antioxidant activity of some plant extracts and their heat, infections, anaemia, anxiety, asthma, blackheads, blood pH and storage stability. Food Chemistry. 2007; 100: impurities, bronchitis, catarrh, chest congestion, cholera and 1100-1105. many other illnesses (Khawaja 4. Basu S, Choudhury UR, Das M, Datta G. Identification et al., 2010; Singh et al., 2012) [22, 36]. Moringa oleifera also of bioactive components in ethanolic and aqueous consists of anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, extracts of Amorphophallus campanulatus tuber by antihypertensive, anti-tumour, anti-oxidant, anti-pyretic, GCMS analysis. International J. of Phytomedicine. 2013; antiulcer, anti-epileptic, diuretic, cholesterol lowering, renal, 5:243-251. antidiabetic, (Sharma et al., 2012) [34] and hepatoprotective 5. Bruinsma, J. The Resource Outlook to 2050: By How activities. It was also discovered that Moringa oil was used in Much do Land, Water and Crop Yields Need to Increase skin ointments ever since the Egyptian times. The Moringa by 2050? In Proceedings of the Technical Meeting of was claimed to be ‘the most nutrient-rich plant yet Experts on How to Feed the World in 2050, Rome, Italy, discovered’ by Khawaja et al. (2010) [22]. 24–26 June 2009; Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO): Rome, Italy, 2009, 1-33. 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