Screening of nutritional composition and phytochemical content of underutilized fruits –‘Spondias axillaris and Eriolobus indica’ of Sikkim Himalayas.

The purpose of present study was to investigate the nutritional composition, mineral profile and phytochemical content of two underutilized fruits ‘Spondias axillaris and Eriolobus indica’ of Sikkim Himalaya. The present investigation revealed that the fruit of S. axillaris was found to be rich in dry matter (21.40±0.43 %) crude protein (6.31±0.58 %) and crude fat (2.10±0.28) as compared to E. indica (2.61±0.58 %), whereas other nutritional component viz. fibre (1.55±0.30 %), total carbohydrate (89.06±0.52) and energy value (393.14±1.96 %) were higher in E. indica. Minerals like potassium was found to be highest in both the fruits i.e. S. axillaris (280.12 ± 6.58 μg/L)and E. indica (111.37 ± 4.38μg/L) and some other elements were also present significantly. Phytochemical viz. total phenol (71.83±0.76mg GAE/g) and ascorbic acid (34.54±0.99 mg/100 g) were found highest in S. axillaris while presence total flavonoid was maximum in E. indica (17.48±0.31 mg QE/ g). Anthocyanin and total carotenoid were also present in minute quantity in both the fruits. The study suggests that fruit of S. axillaris and E. indica could be good sources of nutrients, minerals and phytochemical and must be researched further for its beneficial effect in human health.