International Journal of Food, Nutrition & Dietetics

Our ancient literatures of Hindus’, Muslims as well as of Cristian’s are full of plants described about their nutrimental and medicinal potential. A significant number of plants described in their texts are still unidentified because of least or no interest in plant taxonomy among neither grate scientists in well-developed different organisations nor respected teachers of Universities or Colleges of repute. We can say with confidence that there are no teachers who can teach Plant Taxonomy in significant numbers of academic institutions. A man of Biotechnology can do nothing if he/she cannot identify the plant on which the work has to be worked out. As a result, due to non-identification of plants we cannot use our wealth of knowledge which has been provided by our ancestors present in form of scripts. We were presented a book written by Dr. M.I.H. Farooqi entitled “QuruaniPoudheVagayanicDhristi Se” while in Seminar organised by UP Biodiversity Board, Lucknow. We found that there are seventy-one plants being reported in Holy Qur’an and Bible. We have consulted the literatures available as well as the tribal of Bahraich about the uses of the plants available. The perusal of the alphabetical list of plants of Holy Qur’an reveals that there are 71 plant species representing 48 genera of 30 families. Brassicaceae, Cucurbitaceae and Moraceae family were found to be the biggest family represented by 6 plant species each whereas Caesalpiniaceae, Papilionoideae and Poaceae with 5 plant species each; Rosaceae and Rhamnaceae with 4 plant apecies; Mimosaceae, Liliaceae, Pinaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Oleaceae, Lytharaceae, Lamiaceae and Arecaceae with 2 plant species and rest fourteen species viz., Malvaceae, Asclepidiaceae, Lauraceae, Bixaceae, Dipterocarpaceae, Juglandaceae, Cuprassaceae, Lecnoraceae, Loranthaceae, Anacardiaceae, Sterculiaceae, Ericaceae, Salvadoraceae, and Vitaceae is being represented by single plant species each. Keywords: Ethnobotanical; Ethnomedicinal; Potential; Plants; Qur’an.

Little millet is a minor cereal which is known for several health benefits due to the presence of bioactive compounds such as phenolic compounds, gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), carotenoids, and tocopherols. In this paper, the literature on the nutraceuticals of the little millet and also the influence of processing on their stability has been reviewed. The greatest impact on the nutrient and nutraceutical content of the millet occurs on the milling process, when the physical separation of different morphological parts takes place. These nutraceuticals offer protection to the consumer against various diseases. This information will be useful for utilization of processed little millet as an ingredient in functional foods with health promoting functions. It has a significant role in providing significant amounts of antioxidants and phytochemicals in the diet. However, there is a need to restore the lost interest in millets due to its potential nutritional qualities and health benefits. Keywords: Little millet; Nutraceuticals; Processing; Phytochemicals etc.

Various studies have been done on the nutritional aspects of microgreens that is trending now days as fresh green salad in urban population. We have worked on the idea to make these microgreens more popular among soldiers posted at high altitude as self growing potential fresh food supplement. In this study we have explored. The nutrition capabilities of fast and easily growing microgreens of five crops at high altitude i.e. Fenugreek, cabbage, garden orche (atriplex), buckwheat, broccoli and their microgreens were selected for the comparative nutrient analysis with their mature part. Nutrient analysis results have shown that protein content and dietary fibre is significantly higher in mature part of these five crops except cabbage (high in cabbage microgreens). Mature cabbage, broccoli and fenugreek possessed significantly higher minerals contents except, Mg, total P, Na, Zn and Fe (significantly higher in fenugreek microgreens). The mean K content (4481.3±1.86 mg/kg) in mature broccoli was highest. The vitamin C and vitamin B3 are found higher in all the three microgreens than counterpart while beta carotene is found higher in cabbage and broccoli microgreens but comparatively less in fenugreek. Vitamin B9 was found significantly higher in cabbage microgreen, almost equal amount in microgreen broccoli and in mature fenugreek. In harsh climatic condition where fresh food availability throughout the year is a major challenge. Microgreens rich with mineral and vitamins can be good option as dietary supplement to the troops and for local residents especially when mature fresh vegetables are not available. Keywords: Microgreens; High altitude; Vitamins; Counterpart; Harsh climate.