BAMBOO PARTS AND SEEDS FOR ADDITIONAL SOURCE OF NUTRITION

Different edible parts of seven bamboo species were analyzed for their nutrient contents viz., total carbohydrates, proteins, vitamin C and minerals. It was found that among all the edible parts, total carbohyd rate content was highest in the seeds of Bambusa arundinacea (38.0%), proteins in the seeds of Dendrocalamus strictus (13.54%) and vitamin C in the seeds of Bambusa arundinacea (50 mg/100g). The nutrient conten ts compared favourably with those of Cajanus cajan (arhar) and Triticu m aestivum (wheat), which constitute the staple diet of the majority o f Indians.