Biotechnology for Sustainability: Achievements, Challenges and Perspectives

Biotech Sustainability (2017)
Diversity and Ethno-Botanical Potential of Tree Plants…
riorate biological activity of the soil
and adversely affect its physical structure.
Therefore, the phyto-remediation
is the preferred technique to decontaminate
the soil. This approach to
remove the metal is called green mining
because further extraction of metals
can be done from the plant tissue
(Clemente et al., 2007).
Use as livestock feed
A few non-conventional agroindustrial
by-products including S.
oleosa cake were checked for their effectiveness
a livestock feed (Punj,
1988). The presence of tannins adversely
effects the utilization of various
nutrients (Mc Leod, 1974). In addition,
tannins are believed to create
toxic effects by breaking down the alimentary
canal tissues and the hydrolysable
tannins make pathological
changes in liver, kidney, heart, etc.
When their concentration in blood increases
further than the competence of
the liver to deify them. The levels of
tannins were determined using various
chemical and biological methods. It
was observed that in S. Oleosa, tannin
levels in terms of total phenols (TP)
and condensed phenols (CP) were
low, and protein-precipitation capacity
(PPC) could not be detected because
of its very low level. Hence, it
can be considered safe for incorporation
in livestock feed since the harmful
factors are absent (Makkar, 1990).
Ethno-medicinal potential
Different plant parts (stem bark, seed,
fruit and seed oil) of kusum are used
in traditional medicines.
The seed oil is used by the local vaids
for curing skin diseases like scabies,
itching, and acne.
The bark decoction is also used
against skin inflammation and ulcers.
The bark decoction is also infused for
curing malaria.
The fine paste of the bark of Kusum is
often used to control tissue swelling.
Mall
The bark is known to contain medically
important compounds like lupeol
used in preparing analgesic and antitumerous
agents like betulin and betulic
acids.
It balances kaph, useful in productive
cough and asthema.
It cleanses intestine.
It is used in bleeding disorders like
nasal bleeding and heavy periods.
The unripe fruits are absortant, useful
in diarrhea, neuralgia, paralysis, constipation
and bloating.
The fruit pulp improves hair strength
and promotes hair growth.
The ripe fruit improves digestion
strength, improve taste and relieves
anorexia.
The leaf, seed, oil, and bark are used
for treating rheumatoid arthritis,
headache, myalgia,,skin disease, malarial
fever and prophylactic against
cholera.
The bark is astringent and is used in
fever as antipyratic, useful in pruritus.
The kusum oil is bitter, sour, sweet
which improves strength and immunity
and can be taken regularly. It improves
taste and relieves anorexia.
The oil is digestive, induce mobility,
causes diarrhea, purgative and relieves
constipation.
The fine paste of the bark which is
astringent is mixed with oil is applied
to cure itch and acne and other skin
eruptions.
The oil is useful in worm infection,
skin diseases, in toxic conditions, poisoning,
ulcer and wounds.
The seed oil is also used for the cure
of itch and acne.
The seed oil is stimulating and has
cleansing applications.
The ripe fruit is often served with salt
which improves digestion, useful in
anorexia and nourishing.
Ethno-veterinary potential
The seed is grinded so as to make
fine powder. It is mixed with wa-
ISBN: 978-967-14475-3-6; eISBN: 978-967-14475-2-9 503