A A C C   2 0 0 0   A n n u a l   M e e t i n g

The Southeast Asia's climate is well known to produce varieties of plants and edible commodities which are less explored than expected. Most of the fruits, vegetables, cereals, and legumes have shown potential for their meaningful consumption such as functional and neutraceutical foods. The fruit and vegetable less known to the other parts of the world have traditionally been used for centuries for curing some of the common diseases. The wild berries, jack fruit, kerala and many others have shown healing properties. The uncommon cereals, such as millet, rye, barley, also black corn, wheat and rice have recently demonstrated their valuable functional properties and also their use as neutraceuticals in view of their some active components present. The use of multi-grain bread and other cereal products is thus increasing day by day. The legumes are best grown in Southeast Asia and at least six or seven are widely consumed being the low cost source of proteins. Legumes have recently been focused as essential part of the diet as it is recommended that two third of the total proteins required should come from plant source. The functional pharmaceutical and nutritional properties of legumes are part of the discussion of the present paper.