Distribution, Nutritive Value and Mineral Composition of a Few Medicinal plants of Shimoga District, Karnataka India

An attempt has been made to determine proximate, nutritive value, elemental composition and heavy metal contents of different flowers and fruits samples. The flowers and fruits samples were analyzed with the help of standard procedure. Among the macro elements nitrogen, potassium, calcium was dominant and phosphorus, magnesium was lowest in the respective fruit samples. The micronutrients study reveals that iron was the dominant element and manganese and copper was the lowest elements. Of the six proximates, moisture and carbohydrates was dominant and protein and fiber was the lowest in the different fruit samples. The highest value of nutritive value was recorded in the fruit sample of S. anacardium and lowest value of nutritive value was recorded in the fruit samples of B. frondosa. The average values of proximate, nutritive values were compared with recommended dietary allowances (RDA) values and discussed. Further, fruits and flowers help to development of ayurvedic formulation and to established cottage industries to improve economic and social condition of local people are appended.