DOI: 10.36347/sajb.2019.v07i06.002

Pages: 276-287

Makhana (Euryale ferox Salisb.) is an aquatic cash crop of Bihar known for its nutritional and medicinal properties with immense potential since long time. It is mainly cultivated for its edible seeds and tasty snacks. In India, Bihar state alone accounts for more than 85% of the makhana production. Approximately 80% of the total productions of processed makhana in Bihar come from Northern Bihar consisting of Darbhanga, Madhubani, Katihar, Purnea, Sitamarhi, Saharsa, Supual, Araria and Kishanganj districts popularly called Koshi - Mithila region. Makhana is deeply associated with the nutritional, medicinal, social, cultural, ceremonial and religious uses amongst the people Koshi - Mithila region. In this region makhana pops are found to be used variously as roasted makhana snack especially in the evening, in the preparation of a number of delicious and rich dishes, as a non-cereal food by Hindu devotees during fasts and breaking roja (fasting) during Ramjaan Sharif by Muslim communities. Due to its heavenly nature it is also considered as the best offering to Gods and Goddesses in the temples. It is also used in the marriage ceremonies in most of the communities of Koshi - Mithila region. People often use makhana pops for garlands and decorative purposes especially during ceremonial and political welcomes. Makhana pops are fairly rich in essential amino acids and are the store house of several essential macro and minor nutrients. Makhana is considered to be superior to other dry fruits like almond, walnut, cashew nut and coconut in contents of sugar, proteins, ascorbic acid and phenol. On account of being fatless, aphrodisiac, spermatogenetic, light, digestive, antispasmodic and high contents of carbohydrates, proteins and minerals makhana pops are in high demand in western and gulf countries. It is one of the common dry fruits usually relished by the effluent people of the northern Bihar, India and abroad too due to its nutritional and medicinal values. Due to the