Preliminary assessment of nutritional value of palm heart of Phoenix sylvestris (Roxb.)

Phoenix sylvestris (wild date palm) plays an important role in the diet of the inhabitants of tribal area of southern Rajasthan. There is a lacuna in the study of its nutritional value and its potential as an alternative source of food. In the present study the quantitative determination of proximate composition of carbohydrate, protein, lipid, minerals and vitamins present in the palm heart of Phoenix sylvestris has been done by standard analytical techniques. The palm heart of Phoenix sylvestris showed highest amount of carbohydrate (11.63%), crude protein (10.93%), crude fiber (3.24%), reducing sugar (2.68%), crude lipid (2%) and small amount of ash (1.2%). The palm heart of Phoenix sylvestris also has a high energy value (108.24 kcal/100 g). It is rich in Vitamin B3 (1.34 mg/100 g) and Vitamin C (5.52 mg/100 g). This study concluded that the palm heart of Phoenix sylvestris contained highest amount of carbohydrate, protein and lowest amount of minerals as compared to palm heart of Euterpe spp. The results revealed that palm heart of Phoenix sylvestris is a good nutrient supplement and is opulent in carbohydrate, crude protein, vitamin B complex, vitamin C and vitamin K. It can be used as good alternative source of cabbage or vegetable and to alleviate hunger and malnutrition.