Ethno-Medico-Biology of Bān-Aālu (Dioscorea species): A neglected tuber crops of Odisha, India

Explorer Research Article [Kumar et al., 4(12): Dec., 2013]
CODEN (USA): IJPLCP ISSN: 0976-7126

Int. J. of Pharm. & Life Sci. (IJPLS), Vol. 4, Issue 12: Dec: 2013, 3143-3150

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACY & LIFE SCIENCES

Ethno-Medico-Biology of Bān-Aālu (Dioscorea species): A neglected tuber crops of Odisha, India

Sanjeet Kumar1*, Anup Kumar Parida2 and Padan Kumar Jena

1, Department of Botany, Ravenshaw University, Cuttack, (Odisha) - India
2, Post Graduate Department of Life Sciences, Regional Institute of Education, Bhubaneswar, (Odisha) - India


Abstract

Dioscorea – a genus of wild tuber crops is one of the major underground medicinal food sources among rural and tribal populace of Odisha. Twelve species of Dioscorea are reported in Odisha of which all except Dioscorea alata are wild while the latter is a cultivated one. The species are unique for their medicinal, food and economic values. The details in the terms of ethnobotanical values, bioactive compounds, pharmacological potentials, diversity in selected districts of Odisha and their therapeutic uses in maintaining health care have been documented through field survey using passport data and from literature. The richness of these valuable tuber crops is declining due to various anthropogenic activities. Therefore, an attempt was made to document the therapeutic values, diversity and food potentials of these species. The implications of this study in terms of sustainable use of these tuber crops by the rural and tribal communities and their conservation have been discussed along highlights the medicinal potential of the Dioscorea species found in Odisha.

Key-Words: Biochemical constituents, Dioscorea species, Medicinal values

Diversity and medicinal properties of Dioscorea bulbifera L.: a valuable wild tuber crop of Simlipal Biosphere Reserve Forest, Odisha, India

 REGIONAL SCIENCE CONGRESS ON " INNOVATION IN SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY FOR INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT"

ORGANIZED BY

THE INDIAN SCIENCE CONGRESS ASSOCIATION

BHUBANESWAR CHAPTER

AT

KIIT UNIVERSITY, BHUBNESWAR

JANUARY, 27-28, 2014, PP-49.

Diversity and medicinal properties of Dioscorea bulbifera L.: a valuable wild tuber crop of Simlipal Biosphere Reserve Forest, Odisha, India

Shanti Prava Behera, Sanjeet Kumar, Sakti Kant Rath and Padan Kumar Jena

Department of Botany, Ravenshaw University, Cuttack- 753 003, Odisha

sanjeet.biotech@gmail.com

 

Simlipal Biosphere Reserve (SBR) forest is located in the district Mayurbhanj of the state, Odisha. Government of India declared SBR as a Biosphere Reserve in 1994. UNESCO added the National Park to its list of Biosphere Reserve in May 2009. The National Park has total area of 2,750 Km² and the average elevation of 559.31 meters. It has a mixed type of vegetation such as semi-evegreen, tropical moist broadleaf and tropical moist deciduous forest. It is the hub of different tribal communities living in 64 villages inside the SBR. The major aboriginals are Mankardia, Kharia, Kolho, Santhal, Ho, Bathudi and Munda. They do agriculture for short periods and depend on wild plants for their food and medicine. Among their wild foods Dioscorea species are important as per availability and consumption rate. These wild tubers locally known as “Ban Aalu” or “Sanga”. The common Dioscorea species available in SBR are Dioscorea puber, Dioscorea hispida, Dioscorea pentaphylla, Dioscorea bulbifera, Dioscorea oppositifolia etc. Among Dioscorea species, Dioscorea bulbifera is more common. It has sound ethnobotanical values and also frequently used as food by the tribal communities of SBR. It is used against syphilis, toothache, aphthae, psoriasis, rheumatism, aphrodisiac, rejuvenator, tuberculosis, leprosy, urinal troubles and diabetics. It is also taken as cooling agent to reduce body heat during summer and as contraceptive by the tribal ladies. The tubers and bulbils are eaten as vegetables and snacks after much preparation due to their bitterness. It is very popular food as main meal along rice. Dioscorea bulbifera is frequently found in Gurguria of SBR. It is also rich at Ghatkumari, Kasipani, Bakua and Sanuski villages of SBR. The availability of this valuable wild tuber crop is declining due to various anthropogenic activities. Therefore, urgent need to take appropriate steps for the conservation of this plant for sustainable use of bio-resource. It will be helpful for the documentation of ethnobotany and development of new drugs.

Key-words: Dioscorea bulbifera, Ethnobotany, Simlipal Biosphere Reserve

Bauhinia vahlii : an important economic climber of district Keonjhar, Odisha

Regional Science Congress on : Innovation in Science & Technology for Inclusive Development" Organized by The Indian Scoence Congress Association Bhubaneswar Chapter at KIIT University, Bhubneswar January 27-28, 2014 pp-53.  

Bauhinia vahlii: an important economic climber of district Keonjhar, Odisha 

Sanjana Singh, Sanjeet Kumar and Nihar Ranjan Singh

sanjeet.biotech@gmail.com

Department of Botany, Ravenshaw University, Cuttack- 753 003 Odisha, India

Bauhinia vahlii is a common economic plant, belongs to family Caesalpiniaceae, locally known as “Siali”. It is a gigantic climber, and important non-timber forest product (NTFP), found in Central and Southern Odisha. The leaves of this plant are used for making domestic plates. Leaves have also medicinal values and used in various diseases such as demulcent, dysentery and stomachache. Tribal Odisha, use its parts in various purposes. Stem bark is used for preparing ropes. Seeds are edible after roasting and considered a substitute of almond. Seeds are also given to cure infertility in women. Root decoction is given orally in fever. Therefore, keeping this, in view an attempt has been taken to document its economic values and evaluate the bioactive compounds present in plant parts of Bauhinia vahlii using the standard methods. Field study indicated its economic importance of the plant among the tribal populace of study area. Results revealed that important phytochemicals present in the experimental plant parts, such as alkaloid, tannins, saponins, phenols, flavonoids, terpenoids and steroids. Further study needed to evaluate the bioactivity of the plant parts extracts for formulation of new drugs. 

Key-words: Bauhinia vahlii, economic importance, phytochemical analysis