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ABSTRACT
There are large varieties of legumes and oil seeds which are part of traditional food systems
but whose nutritional and economic values have not been completely determined and are far
less exploited for both human and livestock utilization. The objective of this study was to
evaluate the proximate composition & nutritive value of Paracalyx scariosus seeds. P.
scariosus seeds have been used in the feed of ruminants. But information about their nutrient
composition is scarce. The study revealed that the seeds are rich source of carbohydrates
(39.75±0.87), crude fiber (12.152.4) & protein (30.00±0.00). The seeds are less in their
moisture (3.50.19) & crude fat (0.60.05) contents. Low moisture content is advantageous for
the seed’s shelf life & less fat of the seed showed that it is not an oil seed. The nutritive value
of the 100 gm of seeds was 284.4±3.93. From the results, the plant P. scariosus has a good
potential as food crops. Their cultivation and utilization should be encouraged. This would
positively contribute towards improving food security.
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Divakara et al. Res Rev Biomed Biotech 1(2); 2010
INTRODUCTION
Relevant to human existence and living is good nutrition. This is often a major problem in most
developing countries of the world. Consequently, the cases of under-nutrition are increasing in
these countries. To be able to reduce the adverse effect of hunger and or starvation, it is
pertinent that some lesser-known plants are investigated for their nutritive value in human or
non-ruminant nutrition. Seeds have nutritive and calorific value which makes them necessary
in diets. They are good sources of proteins, carbohydrates, edible oils and fats. For normal
functioning, the human body requires sufficient amount of protein. Unfortunately, protein
foods are in short supply. Grain legumes are widely used as cheap protein sources for man and
livestock [1] (Oke et al., 1995) and they have been adjudged to be of good nutritional value [2-
5]
(Ologhobo, 1980; Del Rosario et al, 1981; Agbede, 2000; Agbede and Aletor, 2003).
Usually, legume seeds are rich in proteins and carbohydrates. One of such lesser-known plant
is Paracalyx scariosus, a grain legume seed plant.
P. scariosus is a small woody twinner, which belongs to the sub family Papillionaceae and
family Leguminosae. The plant is found in Belgaum, Bellary, Shimoga and Chikmagalore
Districts of Karnataka. It is also used in treatment of desentary, leucorrhoea, snake bite,
stomach ache, and venereal disease [6] (Keshava Murthy, 1994). It has slender pubescent
branches leaves are pinnately trifoliate. Leaflets are ovate, acute, and pubescent on both sides.
Laterals obliquely ovate, flowers arise in auxillary peduncled racemes or panicles. Corolla is
yellow included Pods. Pods are small obliquely oblong enclosed in calyx. The plant is called
as kadunaru kadale in Kannada and kalawel in Hindi. The traditional healers of Chattisghad
use this plant in treating different types of cancer with some herbal combination. The use of
this plant in treatment of cancer is not reported in any literature. Leaves and roots are known
to possess medicinal properties. The plant is not well known and is not cultivated. No
information could however be obtained concerning the nutritional properties of this seed. Thus,
the present study was undertaken to determine proximate composition of seeds of P. scariosus.
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Divakara et al. Res Rev Biomed Biotech 1(2); 2010
Parameter Percentage
Moisture 3.50.19
Ash 4.50.012
Fat 0.60.05
Crude protein 300.00
Crude fibre 12.152.4
carbohydrates 39.750.87
Nutritive value 284.4±3.93
Mean ± Standard deviation (SD)
CONCLUSION
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Divakara et al. Res Rev Biomed Biotech 1(2); 2010
The present investigation shows that the seeds of P. scariosus are rich source of nutrients. It
could be used as nutritional supplement for humans or non-ruminant animals. Thus P. scariosus
seeds can be recommended for consumption by economically weaker sections of population
throughout the developing countries to alleviate the problem of nutrient supplement or
malnutrition.
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