Abstract

A PRELIMINARY SURVEY OF WILD EDIBLE FRUITS NECESSARY FOR BALANCED HEALTHY DIET FROM AKOLA REGION

*V. S. Patil and V. P. Wankhade

ABSTRACT

Wild edible fruits are an important group of edibles, which contribute to the rural and tribal communities, nutritional requirements. Much of their vitamin and mineral needs are met by this category of food. In all about 600 kinds of edible fruits are known, out of which 100 fruits are more agreeable types. They are important source of both digestible and indigestible carbohydrates. However their consumption is very low in the world. These fruits can help to solve some nutrition related concerns and play positive role in delivering a healthy and balanced diet. So people need to educate using various forms of media on the nutritional healthy benefit of the wild fruits. A survey was done in Akola region situated in Vidarbha in state of Maharastra in central India. Near about 41 plants were collected from 27 families. All edible plants collected from different places, belong to Angiosperm. The most common plants from families are Anacardiaceae, Caesalpinaceae, Sapotaceae and Moraceae.

Keywords: Wild edible fruits, importance.