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Angmo K, Adhikari BS, Bussmann RW, Rawat GS. Harmony in nature: understanding the cultural and ecological aspects of plant use in Ladakh. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 2024; 20:34. [PMID: 38486266 PMCID: PMC10938689 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-024-00670-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Traditional knowledge (TK) in Ladakh encapsulates a repository of experimental wisdom cultivated over millennia. Despite this cultural wealth, dwindling interest among the younger generations in the region's age-old practices underscores the urgency to document TK. The current study investigates the diverse usage of plants in Surru, Wakha and Lower Indus valleys of Western Ladakh exploring the influence of socioeconomic and ecological factors. METHODS A stratified random sample approach was adopted to select 540 respondents for gathering information of useful plants through interviews and questionnaires. Participant observation, questionnaires, open-ended and semi-structured interviews were conducted for data collection. Free listing was done to create an extensive list of plants and their uses. Ethnobotanical metrics such as relative frequency of citation (RFC), relative importance index (RI), cultural value (CV) index and cultural importance (CI) index were computed to assess species applicability. Additionally, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was utilized to discern significant differences in knowledge levels based on valleys, gender, education and religion using TK as a response variable. RESULTS Altogether, we recorded 246 plant species under various ethnobotanical uses from Western Ladakh. These include medicinal (126), fodder (124), wild ornamentals (86), food (81), fuel wood (54), dye (20), religious (31) and others (34). Novel plant reports include Berberis brandisiana Ahrendt and Dactylorhiza kafiriana Renz. The dominant plant family is Asteraceae with 35 species. Suru valley exhibits the highest number of cited plants followed by Wakha-chu and Lower Indus valleys (192, 168 and 152 species, respectively). CONCLUSION Disparities in plant use understanding are evident among different groups, prompting further investigation through intercultural comparisons. Plants such as Arnebia euchroma, Juniperus semiglobosa, and Artemisia species emerge with cultural importance. Gender, valley affiliation, religious background and the remoteness of a village all influence local plant knowledge. These variations are linked to socioeconomic disparities among communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunzes Angmo
- High Mountain Arid Agriculture Research Institute, SKUAST-K, Stakna, Leh, Ladakh, India.
| | - Bhupendra S Adhikari
- Wildlife Institute of India, PO Box 18, Chandrabani, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248001, India
| | - Rainer W Bussmann
- Department of Ethnobotany, Institute of Botany, Ilia State University, 0105, Tbilisi, Georgia
- Department of Botany, State Museum of Natural History, 76133, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Gopal S Rawat
- Wildlife Institute of India, PO Box 18, Chandrabani, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248001, India
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Iqbal Yatoo M, Bhat RA, Muheet, Parray OR, Shabir M, Kubrevi SS, Dar RA, Angmo K, Kanwar MS. A study on biological rhythms of Himalayan Pashmina goats. BIOL RHYTHM RES 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/09291016.2019.1571703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mohd. Iqbal Yatoo
- Division of Veterinary Clinical Complex, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandary, Shuhama, Alusteng Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Riyaz Ahmad Bhat
- Division of Veterinary Clinical Complex, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandary, Shuhama, Alusteng Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Muheet
- Division of Veterinary Clinical Complex, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandary, Shuhama, Alusteng Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Oveas Raffiq Parray
- Division of Veterinary Clinical Complex, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandary, Shuhama, Alusteng Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Mir Shabir
- Farm Science Centre, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Nyoma, Changthang, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Syed Shafat Kubrevi
- Farm Science Centre, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Nyoma, Changthang, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Rukhsar Ahmad Dar
- Farm Science Centre, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Nyoma, Changthang, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Kunzes Angmo
- Farm Science Centre, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Nyoma, Changthang, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Maheshwar Singh Kanwar
- Farm Science Centre, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Nyoma, Changthang, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, India
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Iqbal Yatoo M, Shabir M, Kubrevi SS, Dar RA, Angmo K, Kanwar MS, Bhat RA, Muheet, Parray OR. A study on biological rhythms of Himalayan yaks. BIOL RHYTHM RES 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/09291016.2019.1579883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Iqbal Yatoo
- Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandary, Division of Veterinary Clinical Complex, Srinagar, India
| | - Mir Shabir
- Farm Science Centre, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ladakh, India
| | | | | | - Kunzes Angmo
- Farm Science Centre, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ladakh, India
| | | | - Riyaz Ahmad Bhat
- Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandary, Division of Veterinary Clinical Complex, Srinagar, India
| | - Muheet
- Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandary, Division of Veterinary Clinical Complex, Srinagar, India
| | - Oveas Raffiq Parray
- Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandary, Division of Veterinary Clinical Complex, Srinagar, India
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Monika, Savitri, Kumar V, Kumari A, Angmo K, Bhalla TC. Isolation and characterization of lactic acid bacteria from traditional pickles of Himachal Pradesh, India. J Food Sci Technol 2017; 54:1945-1952. [PMID: 28720951 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-017-2629-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 04/07/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
A total of 15 isolates of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated from traditional pickles of rural and urban areas of Himachal Pradesh. These isolates were identified as Enterococcus faecalis (7), Lactobacillus plantarum (3), Pediococcus pentosaceus (2), Leuconostoc mesenteroides (1), Lactococcus lactis (1) and Enterococcus sp. (1) on the basis of morphological, biochemical and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. All the LABs produced exopolysaccharides, have antibiotic susceptibility, and possess activity of β-galactosidase, β-glucosidase, protease and amylase, while none of the isolates showed haemolytic activity. Out of 15 isolates tested, only 6 isolates showed the phytase activity. These LAB exhibited antimicrobial activity against food borne pathogenic bacteria i.e. Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Shigella dysenteriae. These results suggested that LAB isolates from traditional pickles of Himachal Pradesh have very good potential to be used as probiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika
- Department of Biotechnology, Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill, Shimla, 171 005 India
| | - Savitri
- Department of Biotechnology, Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill, Shimla, 171 005 India
| | - Vijay Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill, Shimla, 171 005 India
| | - Anila Kumari
- Department of Biotechnology, Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill, Shimla, 171 005 India
| | - Kunzes Angmo
- Department of Biotechnology, Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill, Shimla, 171 005 India
| | - Tek Chand Bhalla
- Department of Biotechnology, Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill, Shimla, 171 005 India
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Kumari A, Angmo K, Monika, Bhalla TC. Probiotic attributes of indigenous Lactobacillus spp. isolated from traditional fermented foods and beverages of north-western Himalayas using in vitro screening and principal component analysis. J Food Sci Technol 2016; 53:2463-75. [PMID: 27407213 PMCID: PMC4921100 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-016-2231-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 04/04/2016] [Accepted: 04/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The present research was designed to explore indigenous probiotic Lactic acid bacteria from traditional fermented foods and beverages of North-western Himalayas for their probiotic potential. It was achieved through a step-by step approach focused on the technological characterization, evaluation of the probiotic traits and adherence ability. Fifty one LAB isolates from traditional fermented foods and beverages were initially screened for their technological properties and among them twenty isolates were selected. These isolates were further characterized and identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing as Lactobacillus brevis (7 isolates), Lactobacillus casei (5), Lactobacillus paracasei (2), Lactobacillus buchneri (1), Lactobacillus plantarum (1) and Lactobacillus sp. (3). Identified isolates were evaluated by in vitro methods including survival in gastrointestinal tract, antibiotic susceptibility, antimicrobial activity, cell surface characteristics, exopolysacharride production and haemolytic activity. The results of these experiments were used as input data for Principal Component Analysis; thus, to select the most promising probiotic isolates. Three isolates (L. brevis PLA2, L. paracasei PLA8 and L. brevis PLA16) were found to be most technological relevant and promising probiotic candidates in comparison to commercial probiotic strains. L. brevis PLA2 was selected as best isolate with probiotic potential by in vitro adherence to the human intestinal HT-29 cell line.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anila Kumari
- Department of Biotechnology, Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh 171005 India
| | - Kunzes Angmo
- Department of Biotechnology, Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh 171005 India
| | - Monika
- Department of Biotechnology, Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh 171005 India
| | - Tek Chand Bhalla
- Department of Biotechnology, Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh 171005 India
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Angmo K, Kumari A, Savitri, Bhalla TC. Probiotic characterization of lactic acid bacteria isolated from fermented foods and beverage of Ladakh. Lebensm Wiss Technol 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lwt.2015.10.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Angmo K, Kumari A, . M, . S, Chand Bhalla T. Antagonistic activities of lactic acid bacteria from fermented foods and beverage of Ladakh against Yersinia enterocolitica in refrigerated meat. FOOD BIOSCI 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fbio.2015.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Angmo K, Adhikari BS, Rawat GS. Changing aspects of traditional healthcare system in western Ladakh, India. J Ethnopharmacol 2012; 143:621-630. [PMID: 22884871 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2012] [Revised: 07/17/2012] [Accepted: 07/20/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The Sowa-rigpa system of traditional healing has been practiced from time immemorial in western Ladakh but its existence is in jeopardy today. Documentation of information on various aspects of this system such as treatment methods, materials used for medicine and socio-cultural aspects is needed to ensure the long-term survival of this system. MATERIALS AND METHODS Extensive field surveys were conducted from March 2009 to June 2011 in three different Valleys of the Kargil district. Interviews with traditional healers, village heads and local people were conducted using semi-structured questionnaires and participatory observations to assess the current status of traditional medicine system. Plant specimens were collected from the field for identification and herbarium preparation which were later deposited in herbaria for future reference. RESULTS 160 plants were recorded to be used by traditional healers of Western Ladakh. Traditional healing system (THS) is taking care of 30% of public healthcare. Only 36 traditional healers are left in this region of which 67% was found along the Wakha-chu Valley, followed by the Lower Indus Valley (17%) and the SuruValley (16%). The transfer of knowledge to the next generation is very low (25%) in Kargil. Low income and continuously deteriorating social status of healers has contributed to the decline of this system. CONCLUSIONS Lack of interest in young generation in adopting this system may pose a threat to the survival of Sowa-rigpa. Integration of this system with the modern healthcare system and more government support may prove effective to enhance its deteriorating conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunzes Angmo
- Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani Dehradun, PO Box 18, Uttarakhand 248001, India.
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