Nutritional Evaluation of different Bamboo species in Kerala as a Sustainable food Source

The present study aims to evaluate the nutritional and anti-nutritional levels in ten bamboo species comprising industrially important as well as ornamental types grown in Kerala to judge their potential as a sustainable food source. The species evaluated include Bambusa balcooa Roxb., Bambusa bambos (L.) Voss, Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. (green and yellow), Bambusa wamin E.G.Camus (Budha bamboo), Cephalostachyum pergracile Munro, Dendrocalamus giganteus Munro, Dendrocalamus strictus (Roxb.) Nees, Gigantochloa atroviolacea Widjaja (Black bamboo) and Gigantochloa manggong Widjaja. Key nutritional parameters like moisture, ash, carbohydrate, protein, fat, fiber, vitamin C and total cyanogen content (TCC) were analyzed. D.strictus and two ornamental species - B. vulgaris and G. atroviolacea -were found to be rich in protein, fiber and vitamin C which could be used as a good food source in terms of nutrition. In these species emerging shoots 14 days after emergence recorded maximum outturn (74%) and minimum wastage. The distribution of total cyanogen content (TCC) was found to vary within shoots itself. Among species studied, the highest content was found in the apex region and lowest at the basal portion of the fresh shoots. Appropriate selection of species and judicious harvest of emerging shoots at correct age can maximize outturn of edible portion in harvested shoots and help cultivators in making it a commercial venture.