Medicinal Value and Nutrient Status of Indigenous Fruits in Bangladesh

Abstract

Fruit plant genetic resources are the wealth of a country since they are sources of food, feed, cloth, house building materials, vitamins, minerals and medicine. Bangladesh, by virtue of the favourable agro-climatic conditions, characterized by tropical and sub-tropical environments, has a large number of fruit plant genetic resources. Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, with a population of 165 million. It possesses a good number of minor fruits often growing in the homesteads, roadsides, hills and forests. They are hardy in nature, adapted to the local climate and productive even under adverse soil and climatic conditions and resistant to disease and pests. According to World Health Organization (WHO), per capita requirement of fruits is 115 g but in Bangladesh it is only 78 g, which is much below than the minimum requirement. On the other hand, from November to April most of the fruits are not available in this country. In Bangladesh, most of the minor fruits produced fruits during November to April. Nearly 80% of the population lives in rural areas and are highly dependent on home gardens for their livelihood. Producing minor fruits is a source of livelihood for many farmers and serves as safety net during the time of hardship and natural disaster. Those are considered as an important dietary source of fiber, bioactive compounds and phyto-chemicals and compared to other fruits, it possess high antioxidant activity and are naturally rich in a variety of phytochemicals, particularly phenolic compounds. Apart from nutritive value, these are particularly more important for medicinal properties especially in Ayurvedic medicine. Many of these fruits have processing qualities like preparation of jam, jelly, candy, chutney, sauce, pickles, juice, syrup, squash, beverage, canned and cut fruits which help build entrepreneurships. These fruits also contribute to poverty reduction and livelihood enhancement as well as ensure household food and nutritional security adding women participation through employment and income generation. The producers, sellers and workers involved in minor fruit production, packaging and selling may improve their livelihoods from this sector.