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The article presents the study of edible bamboo species in northeastern India in terms of their nutritive value and traditional uses. The indigenous technical ingenuity required for the preservation and fermentation of products is demonstrated in a number of traditional dishes prepared from edible shoots of the bamboo. The reduction of acridity due to glucocyanides were noted. Nutrient contents in the dry matter of edible portion include fat, carbohydrate, crude fibre, calorific value, magnesium, manganese and iron.

Fermented products form an intrinsic part of the diet of the tribal peoples in northeastern India. This study describes the preparation methods and the nutritive value of fermented soybean (tungrymbai), bamboo (lungsiej), and fish (tungtap) consumed by the Khasi tribes from Meghalaya in northeastern India. Results of the analysis are reported on a dry matter basis. Analysis showed that tungtap was a good source of protein (40.6 g/100g), calcium (5040 mg/100g), phosphorus (1930 mg/100 g), sodium (6.26 mg/100g), and potassium (53.18 mg/100g). Tungrymbai contained high amounts of protein (45.9 g/100g), fat (30.2 g/100g), fiber (12.8 g/100g), carotene (212.7 µg/100g), and folic acid (200 µg/100g). Lungsiej was found to be of better nutritive value than its unfermented counterpart in terms of protein (8.5 g/100g) and iron (1 mg/100g on a fresh weight basis). Fermented foods are typical of the region and exhibit unique flavors and textures that may not be palatable to everyone. It is well established that the process of fermentation enhances the nutritional quality of any product by increasing amounts of vitamins and protein solubility, and by improving amino acid patterns and the same is true with these products studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]