Nilanjana Das

Abstract

Concentrations of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe and Ni) were determined in the fruit bodies of ten edible mushrooms collected from two different areas (roadside and forest areas) of Nayagram Block of Midnapore District, West Bengal. The analyses were performed using Atomic Absorbtion Spectrophotometer. In the mushrooms, the highest metal concentrations were measured as 4.7, 0.84, 59.0, 135.0, 37.0, 1438.0 and 8.6 mg/kg (dry weight basis) for Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe and Ni in Coprinus micaceus, Coprinus micaceus, Lycoperdon pyriforme, Leucocoprinus cepaestipes, Canstharellus cibarius and Macrolepiota procera respectively. The results indicated that the levels of some detrimental heavy metals viz. cadmium and lead were high in some wild edible species viz. Coprinus micaceus, Coprinus comatus and Macrolepiota procera. Therefore, it is wise to restrict the consumption of these mushrooms collected from roadside area of the study region.

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Nilanjana Das , R. N. Chattopadhyay

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An exploration was undertaken for identification of medicinal plants frequently used by the forest fringe people of Nayagram Range under Midnapore West Forest Division of South West Bengal. A total of 75 species having medicinal value could be identified and presented along with their identifying characters like botanical name, local name, family, plant type etc. and uses of the plant components against different diseases. The species diversity in medicinal plants belongs to 34 dicotyledonous plant families and 4 monocotyledonous families. In dicotyledons, the maximum number of genera belong to the family Fabaceae and the maximum number of species belong to the genus Terminalia. In monocotyledons, the family Liliaceae is represcnted by a maximum number of genera. The medicinal utility of the plant species has also been highlighted.

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Nilanjana Das , B. K. Prasad , G. B. Manna , R. N. Chattopadhyay

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Nilanjana Das , R. N. Chattopadhyay

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Nilanjana Das , S. C. Mahapatra , R. N. Chattopadhyay

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Nilanjana Das

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Nilanjana Das , R. N. Chattopadhyay

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No abstract

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Nilanjana Das , B. K. Prasad , G. B. Manna , R. N. Chattopadhyay

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No abstract

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Nilanjana Das , S. C. Mahapatra , R. N. Chattopadhyay

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Wild mushrooms are important Non-Wood Forest Products (NWFP) from the forests and are being used as food since prehistoric times. About 280 species of edible mushrooms are available in the forests of India. Such mushrooms are protein rich and some of them are mycorrhizal, found on trees, while others are non-mycorrhizal. In Himachal Pradesh, about 70 edible mushrooms belonging to different species have been identified. Important species have been briefly described, indicating regions where these are found. Very few of these wild edible mushrooms have been commercially exploited. A good many of these can be collected and consumed as vegetables. They form part of the diet of the local tribal people but are generally neglected in urban civilized society owing to ignorance of their food value and panic about poisonous effects. Awareness about their food value should be created as these are quite tasty. On the other hand, popularized flowers mushroom packing has reduced their number and. Careful study of this effect is needed. Efforts should also be made to maintain their genetic variability in their natural habitat.

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Nilanjana Das , R. N. Chattopadhyay

Abstract

Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) constitute an important source of food for economically backward communities living in the forests of the Nayagram Range of West Midnapore Forest Division , South-West Bengal. Items collected for household consumption include leaves and young shoots , flowers , fruits , tubers , mushrooms etc. The average annual collection was found to be highest for Mahua flowers followed by tubers , leafy vegetables , mushrooms and fruits. The consumption pattern of forest edibles varied widely over the FPCs studied. The present study on nutritional aspect confirms the presence of major nutritive elements in forest edibles in appreciable amount. Therefore , NTFPs have immense prospects to provide solution to the problems of hunger , malnutrition and poverty of the rural poor in the world.

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