Chapter 7 - Exploring the role of Mahua as a functional food and its future perspectives

Abstract

Madhuca indica commonly known as mahua belongs to the family Sapotaceae which is an indigenous plant to the Indian subcontinent. It is an economic plant with pan-India distribution. This multipurpose tree fulfills three fundamental requirements, that is, food, fodder, and fuel. Flowers are used for the manufacturing of country liquor and several value-added food products. It is also used as cattle feed and for making biodiesel. The different parts of mahua plant have several bioactive phytochemicals such as primary metabolites (e.g., sugar, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins) and secondary metabolites (e.g., phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, tannins, etc.). The presence of bioactive phytochemicals is mainly responsible for various pharmacological properties such as antidiabetic, antibacterial, anticancer, antiulcer activities. Since flowers are a rich source of sugar, they could be used as a sugar substitute. Because of this, varieties of value-added food products are made from mahua flowers such as cake, cookies, jam, jelly, candy, etc., with high nutraceutical values. Food products can be commercially marketed and can improve the economic status of the nation. This chapter focuses on the multipurpose uses and wide avenues of the whole mahua plant in food and nutrition, pharmaceutical, and pharmacological sectors. In the coming generation, the importance of mahua plant is going to increase because of its effectiveness, easy availability, low cost, and comparatively devoid of toxic effects. So looking upon the wide prospects and potentials of mahua for various purposes, it is worthwhile to cultivate this plant on large scale, especially in the unproductive wasteland. This chapter will also provide several schemes and initiatives by different government organizations and NGOs in making entrepreneurs to take up the challenge of making mahua as a functional food in the near future.