Nutrient profiling of five dominant edible bamboo shoots viz., three commercial
bamboos (Bambusa balcooa, B. bambus, B. nutans), one ornamental bamboo (B.vulgaris var.
striata) and one monopodial bamboo (Melocanna baccifera) were carried out in the Terai
region of West Bengal, India. The fresh young bamboo shoots (preferably 7-10 days old)
were collected and processed. The proximate and mineral composition was determined in the
laboratory of the Department of Forestry, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Cooch Behar
in 2021-22 to validate the food value using standard methods. In the present study, B.
bamboos was found to be qualitatively superior with the highest carbohydrate (6.34 g/100 g
fw), energy value (40.62 kcal/100 g fw), calcium (19.35 mg/100 g fw), iron (2.03 mg/100 g
fw), copper (5.36 mg/100 g fw), and lowest fat content (0.56 g/100 g fw); whereas, B. nutans
was quantitatively superior with maximum edible percent (43.17%), crude fibre (1.70 g/100 g
fw), total ash content (0.18 g/100 g fw), sodium (2.06 mg/100 g fw), magnesium (5.65
mg/100 g fw), and manganese (1.29 mg/100 g fw). B. vulgaris var. striata was balanced with
the highest crude protein (2.58 g/100g fw) and potassium (468.97 mg/100g fw). B. balcooa
had the highest moisture percent (92.19%) and M. baccifera had highest zinc (1.10 mg/100g
fw) and lowest hydrogen cyanide content (55.86 mg/Kg fw). However, further research on
value addition and composite mixture is needed to ensure food security.