Effect of maturity on the physico-chemical and nutritional characteristics of Kachnar (Bauhinia variegata Linn.) green buds and flowers

India is endowed with a rich genetic diversity of plant species. The less important, so-called underutilized remained uncared for and remained mainly confined to natural wild, semi-wild and semi-domesticated conditions. Kachnar (Bauhinia variegata Linn.) is one of them with green buds and pink flowers. It is a multipurpose plant species used traditionally as vegetables and also have therapeutic and medicinal properties. But nutritional value of green buds and flowers is yet to be exploited up to full potential. The objective of this study was to estimate the nutritional quality of green buds and flowers of Kachnar. Results of the study revealed that both stages of Kachnar are good sources of nutrients varying in their nutritional composition. Its buds are higher in crude proteins, crude fats, total carbohydrates, crude fibre, hemicellulose, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and indigestible carbohydrate content. Its flowers are good in digestible carbohydrates, total and available energy. Ascorbic acid content of bud is high, while total, reducing and non-reducing sugars are found to be higher in flower. The study concludes that Kachnar is a good source of nutrients especially in fibre components and can be beneficial for patients with constipation and cardiovascular diseases. It calls for its commercialization in processing industries to fully utilize the nutritional and medicinal potential.