A review of nutritional and ethno-medicinal properties of Diplazium esculentum (Retzius) Swart: A wild vegetable fern Pohthmi Sarlin, Sharma Ph. Baleshwor* College of Agricultural Engineering and Post-Harvest Technology, (Central Agricultural University, Imphal) Ranipool, 737135, Sikkim, India *Corresponding author e-mail: bale_sharma@yahoo.com
Online published on 29 June, 2023. Abstract Diplazium esculentum (Retzius) Swart is an important wild edible fern distributed throughout the world. The upper coiled shoot called frond is mainly eaten as vegetable curry, as picked, and in various value-added forms. It is probably one of the most world-wide preferred wild vegetable crops amongst ferns. These edible fronds are reported to have a rich amount of macro-nutrients and micro-nutrients in comparison to other known vegetables and wild edibles. The utilities of D. esculentum are retrieved from various ethnic groups of northeastern India; particularly Sikkim as well as adjoining countries like Nepal and Bhutan. It is therefore, marketed successfully in many parts of the Indian Himalayas, as well as in South Asian countries. D. esculentum has been reported to have profound use as a traditional medicine and possesses several phytochemicals that account for its medicinal properties. Further work is required to substantiate nutritional and antinutritional factors present in different varieties and geographical locations as well as bioactive principles so that these can be explored in the management of nutritional security as well as various other diseases. Top Keywords ‘Ningru’, ‘kasoor’, Fiddlehead, Medicinal plant, Food security, Anti-nutritional factors. Top |