Potential of wild edible fruits for nutrition in indigenous communities of Northwest Himalaya, India

Background: In the rural areas of Himachal Pradesh, poor and tribal people depend on a variety wild plants, animals, fungi for their own consumption income generation. Despite role in bridging periods food shortages providing dietary variety, most edible plants are not accessed nutritional potential. This is particularly true district Kinnaur (a predominantly area) Pradesh. Hence, present study was carried out to nutrient content ten fruit species growing Kinnaur. The included Berberis aristata, Elaeagnus umbellata, Hippophae salicifolia, Malus baccata, Prunus cornuta, persica, Pyrus pashia, Ramaria botrytis, Rosa webbiana Viburnum cotinifolium. Methods: samples collected from identified were cleaned, dried, powdered stored airtight containers laboratory analysis. Fresh pulp used measurement pH, titratable acidity, total soluble solids (TSS) ascorbic acid. weight recorded by using digital balance later oven dried (60°C) moisture determination (AOAC, 2006). All pulverized pestle mortar into fine powder separately containers, free contamination till other parameters determined. evaluated triplicates, results analyzed descriptive statistics reported as mean ± standard error. Results: fruits varied 58.76% 89.75% while pH values ranged 2.91 3.86. crude protein between 0.38% - 4.58%. cornuta contained high amount solids, TSS (18.53o Brix). acidity 0.47-2.73%. carbohydrate 19.52% 78.40%. highest sugars (7.60%) observed Total phenols 0.26-1.47%. maximum acid antioxidant activity salicifolia. These had also significant amounts minerals. Conclusion: shows that these plant good sources nutrition population. Keeping view commercial potential, important need be conserved natural habitats should traditional agricultural systems. Domestication will only improve economic condition local but aid conservation biodiversity. Key words: Wild nutritive values, domestication, conservation.