No abstract

The North-East state Manipur, India is a powerhouse of many wild flora and fauna. Varied ranges of wild edible Prunus triflora genotypes commonly known as plum are found in valley and hill districts of the region. Each fruit has distinctive physiological habitat and geographical characteristic. However, to the best of our knowledge no biochemical evaluation has been carried out of these fruits from this region. Four populations of wild Prunus triflora genotypes (Imphal kalenheikha, Senapati maoheikha, Ukhrul applemix, Ukhrul mangomix) were selected as source for study to estimate bio-chemical contents using standard protocols. The selected site differed in respect to their altitudes ranging from 750 -2740 m above msl. Proximate analysis revealed that the Prunus triflora genotype of Senapati maoheikha have highest amount of total soluble sugar, reducing sugar, total soluble protein and antioxidant activity of 34.67 ± 0.65 mg/ 100g, 23.65±2.22 mg/100g, 5.66±0.23 mg/100g, IC50666.3 ± 26µg/ml, respectively. While the genotype of Ukhrul applemix showed high value of 16.51± 5.9 mg/100g non-reducing sugar. Ascorbic acid content was highest in Imphal kalenheikha having 13.19±0.9 mg/100g of fresh weight among the genotypes. Significant correlationship was achieved between ascorbic acid and antioxidant activity in all the genotypes. Our study showed that wild Prunus triflora is a potential source of nutrition and a food containing healthgiving additives like functional food. Therefore, popularizing and bringing into mainstream cultivation of these fruit need initiation.

The rich traditional knowledge on the use of plants as antidotes against various types of venomous animals like hymenopteran insects, spiders, scorpions, leech and snakes found in Mizoram is highlighted in the present study. The study was conducted through the collection of data from 50 local informants using semi-structured questionnaire. A total of 23 species from 17 families is documented with their botanical name, family, local name, voucher number, habit and local distribution, part/s used and their mode of uses. This study indicates the importance of plant resources as an effective source of antidotes which are commonly used during the time of emergency by the indigenous people of Mizoram. Such knowledge inherited from the ancestors through generations needs to be documented and experimented for the use and benefit of people at large.