VARIATION IN NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION OF FLOWER BUDS OF CALLIGONUM POLYGONOIDES IN DIFFERENT REGIONS OF THAR DESERT.

Calligonum polygonoidesis the most common perennial shrub, widely present in some localities of Thar Desert. Flowers are believed to be very nutritious and contain high amount of protein. Nutritional evaluation of flower buds from different regions of Rajasthan was taken up so as to determine the superior chemotype in terms of its food value. There are few reports on nutrional value of Calligonum polygonoides but its variation from different areas has not been studied. Moisture, fat, sugar , protein, vitamin C content alongwith mineral analysis was done. The average nutritional content in case of Calligonum polygonoides was as follows: ash11.14 %, DF 44.98 %, fat 1.27 %, sugar 9.75%, protein 8.02 % and vitamin C 66.88 mg/100g. Samples from Nachna, Jaisalmer were found superior because of high nutritional value.