Baccaurea ramiflora Lour.: Biochemical and ethnobotanical value with scope for bio-prospection

Abstract

Baccaurea ramiflora Lour., a member of Euphorbiaceae family, is found in the tropical forests with wild distribution in India (Assam). The fruits are edible and the wood of the tree is use for making furniture. The present review work is an effort to revisit the scientific works done to evaluate the scope for bio-prospection of edible fruit of B. ramiflora. Research work has reported rich content of minerals and vitamin C in the fruit. The plant has ethno-botanical uses in different countries of the world. Though it has many valuable properties, the plant is still an underutilized plant as its economic potentialities are still untapped. Since time immemorial, humankind has quest for identification and utilization of biological resources, which is crucial to the survival, adaptation, and evolution of the human species. The search for new sources of chemical compounds, genes, proteins, microorganisms and other products that have economic potential and can be obtain from the biological resources around us is bioprospecting. Bioprospecting can be an element of conservation of bio-resources if it can contribute in the generation of wealth through research and development (R&D) and alleviating poverty in bio-diversity rich regions. If underexploited and underutilized natural resources can be transform into potential economically, valuable products it may help in leading subsistence lifestyles in the remote biodiversity rich regions.