Medicinal, nutritional and economic security of tribals from underutilized fruits in Aravali region of district Sirohi, Rajasthan

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1 Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 14(3), July 2015, pp Medicinal, nutritional and economic security of tribals from underutilized fruits in Aravali region of district Sirohi, Rajasthan Urvashi Nandal & RL Bhardwaj* Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Rajsamand, MPUAT, Udaipur , Rajasthan Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sirohi, Agriculture University, Jodhpur , Rajasthan Received 28 May 2014, revised 26 February 2015 Aravali region of district Sirohi is endowed of plant biodiversity with special mention of semi-arid underutilized fruits. The present study emphasized that in ancient times these fruits were largely used by the natives of tribal area as a prime source of natural medicine and food using their traditional wisdom in the form of fresh fruits, dry fruits, fruit juice, fruit powder, arak, chutney, pickle, nutritive wine, drugs, triphala and chyavanprash. However, in present scenario, because of changing food habits, taste and prevalence of several food myths & taboos and unawareness about their importance in daily diet, the new generation of tribals discontinued consuming underutilized fruits. It has resulted into malnutrition among those people who discontinued consuming locally available underutilized fruits along with multiple nutrient deficiency disorders. Significantly, high prevalence of nutrients deficiency and occurrence of clinical symptoms of protein energy malnutrition (14.4%), anaemia (33.0%), iodine deficiency disorder (17.0%), vitamin A deficiency (7.4%), vitamin C deficiency (12.40%), calcium deficiency (18.0%) and zinc deficiency (19.20%) were observed in non-consuming groups of tribals. Whereas the group consuming underutilized fruits regularly was found healthier and nutritionally secure. It was also evident that the consuming group has more traditional wisdom for therapeutic uses of available underutilized fruits. In addition, the underutilized fruits have the potential to give economic security to tribals by giving employment and by fetching good returns from their sale in raw form as well as value added products. Keywords: Underutilized fruits, Nutritional security, Economic security, Tribal, Traditional foods, Non-consuming group IPC Int. Cl. 8 : A61K 36/00 Aravali range is a treasure of underutilized fruits, and if exploited properly has the potential of transforming the economy of this tribal dominated region of Rajasthan because the crops are of explicit quality with great nutritional, medicinal, organoleptic, economic and traditional importance. Some of the important underutilized fruit crops are Pilu, Jamun, Sitaphal, Mahuva, Mulberry, Kainth, Ber, Ker, Karonda, Khirni, Date palm, Tamarind, Bael, Aonla, etc. which are the main source of livelihood for the poor tribals and can play an important role in overcoming the problem of malnutrition 1. In ancient times these fruits were used as major source of medicine and nutritive food by tribals. These people *Corresponding author were well acquainted with different ways of using available fruits for curing various diseases and act as source of nutrition. Also, tribals had knowledge about processing by drying, preparing healthy liquor, arak, paste, and lotion of fruits which were otherwise available in plenty during a particular season. Besides their nutritional importance and as a source of household income, this fruit diversity also has a cultural and social value and contributes to the stability of ecosystems 2. But in changed scenario the tribals (Bhil, Garasia, Mina) of Aravali region of district Sirohi are suffering from various deficiency diseases and malnutrition due to faulty eating habits, cultural myths & taboos for foods, improper dietary composition, poverty and ignorance. In present times the tribal population has reduced use of these valuable

2 424 INDIAN J TRADIT KNOWLE, VOL. 14, NO. 3, JULY 2015 fruits in daily life. The main reason for this is lack of awareness about their potential and low erratic bearing habit of these fruit plants. Also some of these fruits are not acceptable in the market in fresh form due to their acidic nature and stringent taste. Therefore, product development and diversification of value added products have become very important for underutilized fruit production for medicinal, nutritional and economic security of tribals. The food industries are successful in evolving appropriate processing technologies for the profitable utilization and value addition of these fruits. As a result products like jam, jelly, preserve, beverages, pickle, dehydrated fruits have been developed and they are having good commercial potential as well as beneficial in curing nutritional deficiency problems in tribal areas 2, 3. The importance of these fruits is increasing day by day in metropolitans because health conscious people realized the importance of new useful terms such as caloric sweetness, insecticide compounds and medicinal value. Most of the underutilized fruits are rich source of vitamins, minerals, protein and dietary fibre 4. Methodology A field survey was conducted during the year for exploring the use of underutilized fruits in preparation of traditional foods for medicinal, nutritional and economic security of tribals in Aravali region of district Sirohi. During survey the information was recorded on effect of consuming underutilized fruits on nutritional security and prevalence of nutritional deficiency disorders from two groups, i.e., 100 persons were underutilized fruit consumers and 100 persons were non-consumers. Each group had members of different age groups, i.e., Children < 5 yrs, children > 5 yrs, men, women, pregnant women from five tribal dominated villages (Kerlapadar, Muri, Aamli, Rajpura and Fatehpura) of district Sirohi. Further, the relevant information regarding nutritional value, value addition and processing potential of the underutilized fruits was obtained from 100 middle aged (30-50 yrs) housewives through direct interview method. During survey the information regarding traditional wisdom of tribal for therapeutic uses of different locally grown and available underutilized fruits had been recorded from two age groups of 100 persons, i.e., yrs and yrs old and data was presented in percentage. The medicinal importance of underutilized fruits was collected by direct interview method from 5 local Vaid and reputed experts with the help of a pre-tested questionnaire. Economics of plantation of underutilized fruits in tribal area of district Sirohi was determined by a team of four experts from the field of horticulture, economics, plant physiology and forestry along with a progressive tribal farmer. Results and discussion Nutritional deficiency diseases and occurrence of clinical signs and symptoms The observations recorded during survey clearly indicated that the per cent prevalence of nutritional deficiency and occurrence of clinical symptoms was significantly higher in non-consumer group of tribals than the consumer group (Table 1). The results indicated that the non-consumer group of tribals (children < 5 yrs-20 %, children > 5 yrs-15 %, men- 7 %, women- 13 %, pregnant women-17 %) was more prone to suffer from Protein Energy Malnutrition. Major nutrient deficiency clinical symptoms like growth retardation with poor physical growth, reduced immunity, lesser in height and weight than normal were present in this group. During baseline health survey it was also reported that 40 % women, 45 % of the pregnant women, 23 % men, 27 % children > 5 yrs and 30 % of children < 5 yrs age group of non-consumers were suffering from iron deficiency anaemia. Clear iron and folic acid deficiency symptoms like tiredness, paleness of conjunctiva, spoon shaped nails, pitting oedema, paler skin, sore tongue, low blood pressure and regular headache were present in non-consumers of all age groups than consumer groups. It was also observed that 17.0 % population suffered from iodine deficiency symptoms in non-consumer group whereas only 5.4 % in consumer group. Vitamin A deficiency was also prevalent in non-consumer group of tribals with 7.4 % suffering from xerophthalmia, night blindness and rough skin (Table 1). It was also

3 NANDAL & BHARDWAJ: TRIBAL S MEDICINAL, NUTRITIONAL AND ECONOMIC SECURITY 425 Name of diseases Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) Iron Anaemia Iodine Disorder (IDD) Vitamin A Vitamin C Calcium Zinc Table 1 Major nutritional deficiency diseases, their symptoms and prevalence in tribal areas of district Sirohi Symptoms of disease Growth retardation with poor physical growth, reduced immunity, lesser in height and weight than expected, kwashiorkor (presence of oedema) and nutritional marasmus (severe wasting) Pale skin, fatigue, brittle fingernails, sore tongue, brittle hair, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, unusual food cravings, low blood pressure, low immunity, headache and decreased appetite Swollen front of the neck, protruding eyes, severe mental retardation, stunted physical growth, enlarged head, deafness, hypothyroidism with fatigue, weight gain, weakness and depression Xerophthalmia and Night Blindness-inflammation of the cornea, eye lesions, dry eyes, bitots spots ;dry and rough skin; decreased immunity; growth retardation and loss of appetite Scurvy with skin bruises and bleeding, swollen or painful joints, decreased immunity, poor digestion, soft gums, slow healing wounds and fractures, loss of appetite Weak teeth that easily fall out, lack of sleep, premenstrual cramps, high blood pressure, osteoporosis in adults Slow growth in children, loss of hair, skin lesions, peeling skin, slow healing of wounds, frequent and recurring infections, severe diarrhoea Prevalence of nutritional deficiency and occurrence of visual symptoms (N=200) Children < 5 years % Children > 5 years % Men (%) Women (%) Pregnant Women % Mean % NC C NC C NC C NC C NC C NC C (N=200) = 100 NC (Non-consumer of underutilized fruits) C (Consumer of underutilized fruits)

4 426 INDIAN J TRADIT KNOWLE, VOL. 14, NO. 3, JULY 2015 evident that the adult tribals consuming underutilized fruits in daily diet were free from vitamin A deficiency symptoms. Significantly high prevalence of vitamin C deficiency (12.40%), calcium deficiency (18.0%) and zinc deficiency (19.20%) were observed in non-consuming group of tribals. They suffered from different visual symptoms like weak teeth and bones, slow growth, skin lesions and were more susceptible to infections, whereas the underutilized fruit consuming group was healthier and nutritionally secure. Maximum tribal children were suffering from iron deficiency anaemia, Protein Energy Malnutrition and severely malnourished due to unawareness and ignorance concerning nutritional value of underutilized fruits and their uptake in daily diets 5. Nutritional values of underutilized fruits Underutilized fruits contribute significantly in maintaining tribal population nutrition, especially as very good source of vitamins {ascorbic acid (vitamin C), carotenoids (vitamin A), thiamine (vitamin B 1 ), riboflavin (vitamin B 2 ), niacin (vitamin B 3 ), pyridoxine (vitamin B 6 ), folacin}, minerals, fat, protein and dietary fibre 2,6. Some underutilized fruits like wood apple (7.10 mg100gm -1 pulp), phog (6.05 mg100gm -1 pulp) are very good source of protein, tamarind (17.01 mg100gm -1 pulp) and karonda (39.14 mg100gm -1 pulp) are richest source of iron, kumquat (2575 IU) and drumstick (190 IU) are excellent source of vitamin A, aonla ( mg100gm -1 pulp), ber ( mg100gm -1 pulp) and chinese jujube ( mg100gm -1 pulp) are good source of vitamin C, phog ( mg100gm -1 pulp) and wood apple ( mg100gm -1 pulp) have good amount of fat, bael (31.80 mg100gm -1 pulp), tamarind (67.40 mg100gm -1 pulp) and date palm (70 mg100gm - 1 pulp) are very good source of carbohydrate, khimp ( mg100gm -1 pods) and phog ( mg100gm -1 seeds) are richest source of calcium. Underutilized fruits such as ber, bael, ker, phog, khimp, khejri pod and kachri are more nutritious than other commercial fruits 7. The mature fruits of kachri (Cucumis callosus (Rottler) Cogniaux) are available abundantly in South Western Rajasthan; it is one of the components of the delicious vegetable popularly known as panchcutta. It has 1.28 gm fat, 1.21 gm fibre, 43 Kcal energy and mg vitamin C in 100 gm -1 of fresh fruit. Ker (Capparis decidua (Forssk.) Edgew) also a underutilized fruit of Rajasthan is very good source of protein (4.24 gm), fat (2.0 gm), fibre (4.24 gm), carbohydrate (18.2 gm), energy (107 Kcal) and vitamin C (50 mg) in 100 gm -1 of fresh fruit. The unripe green pods of khejri (Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce) commonly known as sangri are very good source of digestive protein (5.1 gm), fiber (6.7 gm), carbohydrate (14.15 gm) and energy (82 Kcal) in 100 gm -1 of fresh pods. The seeds of phog (Calligonum polygonoides L.) are rich in protein (6.05 gm), fat (11.81 gm), fibre (15.73 gm), carbohydrate (57.31 gm), energy (360 Kcal), vitamin C (4.30 mg), iron (3.52 mg), calcium (211 mg) and phosphorus (427 mg) in 100 gm -1 of fresh weight of seeds. Traditional wisdom of tribals for therapeutic uses of underutilized fruits The data presented in Table 2 showed that the older tribal population has very good traditional wisdom about therapeutic uses of underutilized fruits like aonla (69%), date palm (60%), sitaphal (80%), ber (55%), khirani (86%), jamun (60%), pilu (90%), ker (60%), phog (25%), bael (70%), tamarind (60%), whereas the new generation has very less traditional wisdom about different uses of underutilized fruits in tribal area. Number of underutilized fruits have been used as major source of raw material in pharmaceutical drugs as source of valuable remedies for treating dreaded modern ailments such as cancer, diabetes, jaundice, asthma, and nutritional deficiency 5,6,7. Bael is used in 60 patented drugs and aonla is the component of most famous ayurvedic medicine chyavanprash. Ber is used in joshanda, jamun seed in diabetes and black mulberry in docking of AIDS virus on human cell. Fruits, nuts and vegetables in the daily diet have been strongly associated with reduced risk for some forms of cancer, heart disease, stroke and other chronic diseases 2, 8. Fruits phyto-chemicals are strong antioxidants and function to modify the metabolic activation and detoxification/ disposition of carcinogens, or even influence processes that alter the course of the tumor cell 5,6. Daily use of aloe juice

5 NANDAL & BHARDWAJ: TRIBAL S MEDICINAL, NUTRITIONAL AND ECONOMIC SECURITY 427 Table 2 Frequency of awareness about traditional wisdom for therapeutic uses of underutilized fruits in different age groups of tribals Common Name Botanical Name Aonla Date palm Phyllanthus emblica L. Syn Emblica officinalis Gaertn. Traditional wisdom for different uses Triphala, dry fruits chyavanprash, Amal ki rasayan, Dhatri loha, Saptamrit Phoenix dactylifera L. Dry fruits, chuhara, fruit powder, nutritive paste (date pak) Sitaphal Annona reticulate L. Fresh fruits, fruit powder, fruit pak, fruit paste Ber Khirani Jamun Pilu Ker Kachri Khejri pods Phog Bael Tamarind Ziziphus nummularia (Burm.f.) Wight & Arn. Manilkara hexandra (Roxb.) Dubard Syn Mimusops hexandra Roxb. Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels Salvadora oleiodes Decne. Capparis decidua (Forssk.) Edgew Cucumis callosus (Rottler) Cogniaux Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce Calligonum polygonoides L. Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa Chuhara, dry and fresh fruits, drugs Dry and fresh fruits, nutritive drugs Fermented drugs, fruit juice, fresh fruits, Jaambukasav, Madhumehdaman churna Nutritive drugs, fresh fruits, juice Dry and fresh fruits, roasted fruits, powder, panchcutta Dry and fresh fruits, panchcutta, fruit powder Dry and fresh pods, pod powder, pod pak, pod paste, panchcutta Fresh fruit pulp, dry powder and phog-pak Therapeutic uses Cures haemorrhage, Diarrhoea, dysentery, anaemia, cough Supply instant energy, natural laxative, nicotinic content cures intestinal disturbances, checks growth of pathological organisms Storehouse of Vitamin C acts as antioxidant, Vitamin A present is good for hair, eyes, healthy skin, rich source of dietary fibre so helps in digestion, expectorant, coolant, stimulant, haematinic Helps in blood purification and improves digestion Cures anaemia, improves haemoglobin content in blood Cures Stomach ache, anaemia, improves haemoglobin in blood, diabetes Helps in blood purification and digestion Cures biliousness, asthma, inflammations, fever, cough, stomach pain, vomitting, arthritis, diabetes and hypertension, laxative Exert cooling effect on body, improves appetite, easy bowel movement, relieves stomach pain, vomitting and constipation Help in blood purification, cures skin disease, respiratory problem and piles, cures ringworm infection, dyspepsia and fevers. Exert cooling effect on body and provide good health Fruit powder, pulp, fruit Appetizer, stomachic, cooling, pak, paste, drugs, Bilb restore vitality giri churna, Bilwadi churna Tamarindus indica L. Nutritive wine, pulp, chutney, paste Useful in heart care and cures stone formation in urinary system Frequency of awareness (n=100) years years

6 428 INDIAN J TRADIT KNOWLE, VOL. 14, NO. 3, JULY 2015 shows significant improvement in glycaemic control, lipid profile and BMI in Type -2 diabetes 9. A list of underutilized fruits having therapeutic uses and used traditionally by tribals for health security is given in Table 2. Important nutrient deficiency diseases and their management In ancient times the majority of tribals used underutilized fruits in their daily diets and as medicine so they uptake various macro and micronutrients and useful phyto-chemicals naturally but gradually reduced the use of these fruits. Therefore, they suffered from different nutritional deficiency diseases as reported during survey. (1) Protein Energy Malnutrition- Protein deficiency is wide spread (7-20%) in non-consumer group of tribals. Protein deficiency leads to disorders like protein energy malnutrition, kwashiorkor, marasmus, etc. Some underutilized fruits (Table 3) are rich source of protein and available abundantly in tribal dominated areas, but consumption of these fruits and fruit products has been significantly reduced in daily diet leading to protein deficiency in non-consumer groups. (2) Iron deficiency anaemia- The incidence of iron deficiency anaemia is high among infants (30%), children (27%), men (23%), pregnant women (45%) and women of childbearing age (40%) in nonconsumer group, as compared to consumer group (10.8%) of tribals. Daily consumption of 15-20gm karonda fruits during pregnancy in different forms significantly reduces the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia in pregnant women 5. Many underutilized fruits are rich in iron and used by tribals for curing iron deficiency anaemia (Table 3). (3) Night blindness (Vitamin A deficiency) Moderate vitamin A deficiency was also prevalent (7.4%) in non-consumer group of tribal (Table 1). Lack of vitamin A thus leads to night blindness. The requirement of vitamin A is greater during pregnancy, lactation and during growth 4. The Raika community of Western Rajasthan suffered from chronic vitamin A deficiency (3.4 %) due to inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables in daily diet 10. Some underutilized fruits are rich source of vitamin A and used by tribals for preventing vitamin A deficiency (Table 3). (4) Scurvy (Vitamin C deficiency) - Vitamin C deficiency was also pre-dominant in all age groups of tribal like children < 5 yrs (12%), men (10%), women (12%) and pregnant women (15%), whereas very little mean deficiency (3.8%) was reported in consumer group (Table 1). Vitamin C deficiency causes scurvy characterized by weakness, bleeding gums and defective bone growth 2. Additional consumption of one aonla fruit daily is sufficient for supply of required amount of vitamin C 5. In ancient times, vitamin C rich underutilized fruits were used for preventing scurvy (Table 3). (5) Pyronoderma (Fat deficiency) - Fat is a major nutritional concern in poor societies, especially in lower income tribals. Fat deficiency in body causes pyronoderma (toad skin), weakness and weight loss 11. Maximum tribals (65-68%) of Aravali region of district Sirohi were suffering from pyronoderma disease. In ancient times, the fat rich underutilized fruits were used for curing pyronoderma in the form of fresh and dry fruit, fruit powder, pulp, paste, chutney and arak (Table 3). (6) Weakness (Carbohydrate deficiency) - Carbohydrate deficiency was also prevalent in nonconsumer group of tribal. It causes weakness, weight loss and reduced physical activity. Plenty of wild date palm is available in tribal dominated area of Sirohi and daily consumption of 50gm fruit with normal diet is sufficient for fulfilling the carbohydrate requirement of the normal working tribals 5. Few underutilized fruits are rich source of carbohydrate and their consumption increased energy level of tribals (Table 3). (7) Rickets and osteomalacia (Calcium deficiency) - Calcium deficiency was also prevalent in population groups who lived in tribal area of Aravali region of district Sirohi. Most vulnerable to develop calcium deficiency were infants (15%), children (15%), and pregnant women (30%). Calcium deficiency causes rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults 11. Calcium deficiency was significantly reduced in children by incorporating the cluster bean

7 NANDAL & BHARDWAJ: TRIBAL S MEDICINAL, NUTRITIONAL AND ECONOMIC SECURITY 429 Common name Table 3 Nutrients rich underutilized fruits and their traditional use for medicinal purpose Botanical name of underutilized fruits Protein rich underutilized fruits (mg100gm -1 pulp) Nutrient content in fruit pulp Form or products of traditional use of underutilized fruits Wood apple Limonia acidissima L Fruit pulp and dry powder Ker Capparis decidua (Forssk.) Edgew 4.21 Panchcutta, dry fruit and powder Khejri pods Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce 5.10 Panchcutta, dry and fresh pods Phog Calligonum polygonoides L Dry and fresh fruits, fruit powder Iron rich underutilized fruits (mg100gm -1 pulp) Sitaphal Annona reticulate L Fruit juice, pulp, dry powder Tamarind Tamarindus indica L Pod pulp, Arak, and chutney Dates (dry) Phoenix dactylifera L Fresh and dry fruits, pulp paste Karonda Carissa carandas L Dry and fresh fruits, fruit pulp Vitamin A containing underutilized fruits (μg 100gm -1 pulp) Mahuva Madhuca longifolia J.Konig Flowers, nutritive wine, pulp, Khirani Mimusops hexandra Roxb Dry and fresh fruits, drugs Fig Ficus carica L Fresh and dry fruits, pulp Phalsa Grewia subinaequalis D.C Nutritive juice, wine, drugs Vitamin C containing underutilized fruits (mg100gm -1 pulp) Aonla Emblica officinalis Gaertn Triphala, chyavanprash Ber Ziziphus nummularia (Burm.f.) Wight Chuhara, fresh & dry fruits Chinese jujube Ziziphus jujuba Mill Chuhara, fruit powder, pulp, fruit paste, drugs, fruit juice Ker Capparis decidua (Forssk.) Edgew Dry and fresh fruits, roasted fruits Fat rich underutilized fruits (gm 100gm -1 pulp) Khirani Mimusops hexandra Roxb Dry and fresh fruits, nutritive drugs Wood apple Limonia acidissima L Fruit pulp and fruit pulp powder Ker Capparis decidua (Forssk.) Edgew Dry and fresh fruits, powder Phog Calligonum polygonoides. L Dry and fresh fruits, fruit pulp Carbohydrate containing underutilized fruits (gm 100gm -1 pulp) Bael Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa 31.8 Fruit pulp and powder, juice Mahuva Madhuca longifolia J.Konig 22.7 Flowers, nutritive wine, pulp Sitaphal Annona reticulate L Fresh fruits, fruit powder Khirani Mimusops hexandra Roxb Dry and fresh fruits, drugs Tamarind Tamarindus indica L Pod pulp Arak, and chutney Phog Calligonum polygonoides L Dry and fresh fruits, fruit powder Date palm Phoenix dactylifera L Dry fruits, chuhara, fruit powder, nutritive paste Khejri pods Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce Dry and fresh pods, pod powder Calcium rich underutilized fruits (mg 100gm -1 pulp) Phalsa Grewia subinaequalis D.C Fruit juice, pulp, dry powder Tamarind Tamarindus indica L Pod pulp Arak, and chutney Dates (dry) Phoenix dactylifera L Fresh and dry fruits, pulp paste Phog Calligonum ploygonoides. L Dry and fresh fruits, powder

8 430 INDIAN J TRADIT KNOWLE, VOL. 14, NO. 3, JULY 2015 vegetable in weekly diet in the form of fresh as well as dry pods 5. Tribals used calcium rich underutilized fruits in daily diet for curing calcium deficiency diseases (Table 3). Economic value of underutilized fruits The results presented in Table 4 showed that the underutilized fruits are the good source of sustainable income in tribal areas. But the tribal farmers knew about the economic value of only some underutilized fruits like aonla (70%), sitaphal (95%), ber (87%), khirani (92%), pilu (55%) and tamarind (70%). Whereas economics of some underutilized fruits is higher but popularity is very less like date palm (30%), ker (30%), phog (12%) and bael (22%). Many economically useful fruits, vegetables and medicinally viable plants like aonla, ber, sitaphal, jamun, tamarind, bael, ker, lasoda, karonda, dates, tumba, kumtia, kachari, pilu, etc. were either propagated or naturally available in the tribal areas of Rajasthan 2, 12. The tribals especially women and children collected these fruits from widely scattered trees and bushes in the region repeatedly during the harvesting season. A part of their collection was retained with them for their own consumption in raw or dried form and surplus was sold to the local traders or along road sides 2, 12. The market of underutilized fruit in turn was influenced by a number of factors like consumer preference, processability, value addition, export, domestic consumption, foreign demand that again was based on knowledge about the health promoting qualities and nutritional value of the crops 13. Value addition of underutilized fruits Accurate statistics in regard to quantity production and processing was unavailable for underutilized fruits because a sizeable quantity of the fruits produced were self-consumed, exchanged or sold locally which remained unreported. The majority of fruit species in Rajasthan were not cultivated on a large-scale or commercial basis, but rather grow wild or planted in home gardens or field boundaries. The results presented in Table 5 showed that the maximum tribal women (85%) knew about preservation of the fruit by dehydration method. Whereas 60 % women were also familiar about pickling of fruit and 45 % have good knowledge about preparation of fruit chutney. All advance technologies of fruit preservation like making preserve (1.0%), glazed fruits (0.0%), sauce (5.0%), frozen puree (0.0%), canning (2.0%) and confectionary (0.0%) were less popular among tribal women. Normally, the fruits were collected from the wild forest and sold fresh on a seasonal basis, with limited processing 12. The volume processing was very S.N. Name of underutilized fruits Table 4 Economics of plantation of underutilized fruits in tribal areas of district Sirohi Number of plants ha -1 Average yield (kg plant -1 ) Average yield (qt.ha -1 ) Average market rate (Rs. qt -1 ) Expected income (Rs. ha -1 ) 1 Aonla , Dates , Sitaphal , Ber , Khirani , Jamun , Pilu , Ker , Kachri , Khejri pods , Phog , Bael , Tamarind , Frequency of awareness (%) (n= 100)

9 NANDAL & BHARDWAJ: TRIBAL S MEDICINAL, NUTRITIONAL AND ECONOMIC SECURITY 431 Table 5 Frequency of awareness about processed/value added products of underutilized fruits in tribal women S.N. Name of processed products Name of underutilized fruits Frequency of awareness (n= 100) 1 Jam Jamun, karonda, aonla, tamarind, sitaphal, bael, ber, 7.0 mulberry, wood apple, etc. 2 Jelly Tamarind, jamun, karonda, etc Preserve Ber, aonla, bael, ker, sangari, karonda, etc Candy Aonla, ber, karonda, datepalm, tamarind, etc Glazed fruits Tamarind, ber, aonla, etc Juice/ beverage /squash Tamarind, bael, jamun, karonda, phalsa, ber, aonla, 15.0 pomegranate, mulberry, wood apple, etc. 7 Wine Mahuva, wild apricot, date palm, karonda, ber, Indian fig, etc Chutney Karonda, tamarind, ker, aonla, wood apple, etc Sauce Karonda, tamarind, wood apple, pomegranate, etc Pickle Aonla, karonda, ker, lasoda, sangari, kachri, khimp, immature 60.0 mango, ber, tamarind, etc. 11 Dehydration Bael, karonda, ker, phalsa, ber, kachari, sangari, khimp, 85.0 mulberry, date palm, lasoda, tamarind, aonla, custard apple, etc. 12 Frozen puree Tamarind, bael, karonda, ker, phalsa, custard apple, etc Canning Ber, aonla, jamun, ker, etc Confectionary Aonla, tamarind, immature mango, etc. 0.0 high for all the species, as it refers to primary processing, which mainly involves the removal of pulp and drying. The socio-economic status of rural families can be improved through value addition of underutilized fruits 2, 12. It can facilitate optimum utilization of available resources and can have great future in waste land fruit production. Panchcutta was most common processed product of underutilized fruits 14. The establishment of agro-processing industries in rural and tribal areas was necessary not only to meet the ever increasing demand for processed products but also to enhance real farm income in future 12. Value addition will also generate required employment potential for tribal workers. Processing of underutilized fruits into more useful and convenient products, ultimately improves the economic value of any product, which is the most vital component of value addition 15 (Table 5). Ber pulp was used for making drinks, fresh ker fruits used as vegetable and pickle, immature fruits were also dried for subsequent use as vegetable in off season 16. All the underutilized fruits available in Aravali region of district Sirohi had great nutritional, medicinal and sensory appeal. There is a considerable traditional wisdom available on various therapeutic uses of underutilized fruits along with a great potential in the field of processing and value addition. In the present socio-economic scenario, the tribals are facing the problems of hidden hunger, macro and micro-nutrient deficiencies, poverty, and unemployment. The wise and proper utilization of underutilized fruits can prove to be a promising solution after realizing their health and employment potential. The underutilized crops can be a rich and easily available source of macro and minor nutrients in sufficient amounts to prevent and cure deficiency disorders. They are the source of ayurvedic medicine because of having therapeutic properties. They can fetch selfemployment opportunities through marketing of raw fruits. In addition, a good scope for the future lies in the field of value addition in view of abundant availability, palatability, quality and therapeutic uses of underutilized fruits. Hence, it can be concluded that exploitation of underutilized fruits can provide a solution to nutrition, livelihood and economic security of tribals by using available traditional wisdom as well as modern food processing technology.

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