3 - FIVE MAIN PLANT SPECIES WITH THEIR ECONOMIC VALUE

(Chahal, 2021)

WHAT ARE THE ECONOMIC VALUES IN PLANTS?

It relates many fields including agronomy, anthropology, archaeology, chemistry, economics, ethnobotany, ethnology, forestry, genetic resources, geography, geology, horticulture, microbiology, nutrition, pharmacognosy, and pharmacology.

According to K. Chanal (2021) the economic value plants are beneficial as being useful either directly, as source of food, medicines, commerce or indirectly, as products we use or that enhance the environment.

(Jaji, 2018)

• The fruit is best eaten fresh or canned. It is also used to make pineapple juice.
• The fruits are also used to make jam or for crystallized fruit. )

Ananas comosus

PINEAPLE @ NANAS

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(Jaji, 2018)

Local pineapple farmers can earn about RM5,000 a month from every hectare cultivated The export value of pineapples from Johor, since the beginning of the year, has reached RM1 billion

( CBI, 2023)

• The fleshy roots are served as a cooked vegetable, in whole or mashed form, and are used as pie filling.
• The crop has long been grown for drying and for manufacture of starch and alcohol.

Ipomoea batatas

SWEET POTATO

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( CBI, 2023)

Sweet potato produces more biomass and nutrients per hectare than any other food crop in the world. The production was 30.67 million hundredweight in 2020 with an estimated value of $726.18 million.

(Web Md, 2023)

• Leaves are used to flavor teas, desserts, candies, chewing gums, vegetable dishes and sauces.
• The leaves are commonly used in Indian cuisine. Leaves may also be consumed raw, such as adding them to salads.
• Medicine: Inhaling the essential oils may help relieve some cold symptoms. Leaves are also used as a medicinal stimulant.
• It is thought that drinking spearmint tea helps to relieve headaches, fever, and digestive problems.
• The leaves contain antioxidants that have potential to preserve fresh meat and allow it to be stored longer.
• Leaf extracts have antifungal properties. The oil may also be used to flavor toothpaste.

Mentha spicata L.

SPEARMINT

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(Web Md, 2023)

The economic importance of mints is also evident; mint oil and its constituents and derivatives are used as flavoring agents throughout the world in food, pharmaceutical, herbal, perfumery, and flavoring industry.

(Triwara, 2021)

• Its young leaves, flowering shoots and fruits are edible when cooked.
• The kernel of the seed is made into cracker (emping or emping belinjau).
• Medicinal ( The roots are used as an antidote for poison, and as a medicine for malaria).
• Timber & Products ( Its wood is used for wharfing rafts and boats. Its branches may be used for making barrels.).

GNETOM GNENOM L

BELINJAU

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(Triwara, 2021)

the melinjo chip processed food industry, which is very popular and has a high economic value

(Noboyuki, 1998)

• Rich source of starch with health benefits.
• The edible rootstocks are grown in water and used to produce easily digestible starch.
• Can be baked and eaten and noodle productions industry.
• Young shoots - cooked and eaten as a green vegetable. Quite nutritious, containing at least 10% protein.
• The starch from the roots is sometimes used as a laundry starch or for sizing.

cANNA EDULIS

ACHIRA @ INDIAN SHOT

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(Noboyuki, 1998)

The potential and opportunities of edible canna starch as an alternative raw material of bioplastics production