Nelumbo nucifera, also known as Indian lotus, sacred lotus, bean of India, Egyptian bean or simply lotus, is one of two extant species of aquatic plant in the family Nelumbonaceae. The Linnaean binomial Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. is the currently recognized name for this species, which has been classified under the former names, Nelumbium speciosum Willd. and Nymphaea nelumbo, among others. (These names are obsolete synonyms and should be avoided in current works.) This plant is an aquatic perennial. Under favorable circumstances its seeds may remain viable for many years, with the oldest recorded lotus germination being from that of seeds 1,300 years old recovered from a dry lakebed in northeastern China.
Native to Tropical Asia, and Queensland, Australia, it is commonly cultivated in water gardens. It is also the national flower of India, and Vietnam.
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Classification
While all modern plant taxonomy systems agree that this species belongs in the genus Nelumbo, the systems disagree as to which family Nelumbo should be placed in, or whether the genus should belong in its own unique family and order.
The lotus is often confused with the water lilies (Nymphaea, in particular Nymphaea caerulea "blue lotus"). In fact, several older systems, such as the Bentham & Hooker system (which is widely used in the Indian subcontinent) call the lotus Nymphaea nelumbo. This is, however, evolutionarily incorrect. Far from being in the same family, Nymphaea and Nelumbo are members of different orders (Nymphaeales and Proteales, respectively).
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Botany
The roots of lotus are planted in the soil of the pond or river bottom, while the leaves float on top of the water surface or are held well above it. The flowers are usually found on thick stems rising several centimeters above the leaves. The plant normally grows up to a height of about 150 cm and a horizontal spread of up to 3 meters, but some unverified reports place the height as high as over 5 meters. The leaves may be as large as 60 cm in diameter, while the showy flowers can be up to 20 cm in diameter.
Researchers report that the lotus has the remarkable ability to regulate the temperature of its flowers to within a narrow range just as humans and other warmblooded animals do. Roger S. Seymour and Paul Schultze-Motel, physiologists at the University of Adelaide in Australia, found that lotus flowers blooming in the Adelaide Botanic Gardens maintained a temperature of 30-35 °C (86-95 °F), even when the air temperature dropped to 10 °C (50 °F). They suspect the flowers may be doing this to attract coldblooded insect pollinators. Studies published in the journals Nature and Philosophical Transactions: Biological Sciences were in 1996 and 1998 important contributions in the field of thermoregulation, heat-producing, in plants. Two other species known to be able to regulate their temperature include Symplocarpus foetidus and Philodendron selloum.
An individual lotus can live for over a thousand years and has the rare ability to revive into activity after stasis. In 1994, a seed from a sacred lotus, dated at roughly 1,300 years old ± 270 years, was successfully germinated.
As mentioned earlier, the traditional Sacred Lotus is only distantly related to Nymphaea caerulea, but possesses similar chemistry. Both Nymphaea caerulea and Nelumbo nucifera contain the alkaloids nuciferine and aporphine.
The genome of the sacred lotus was sequenced in May 2013.
Production systems
About 70% of lotus for the human consumption is produced in China. In 2005 the cultivation area in China was estimated at 0.3 million hectares. A major of lotus production takes place in managed farming systems in ponds or flooded fields like rice.
The most widely used system is crop rotation with rice and vegetables. This system is applicable if the propagule (small piece of rhizome) can be planted early in the year. The rhizomes are harvested in July, after which rice can be planted into the same field.. Rice is then harvested in October. From November until March, the field stays either free, or a terricolous vegetable, for example cabbage or spinach, is planted. Alternatively, the vegetable can also be planted after the harvest of lotus.
Another alternative way is to not harvest the lotus rhizome although it is ripe. A terricolous vegetable is planted between the rhizomes into the drained field. The rhizomes are then harvested next March.
A third way is to plant lotus in ponds or fields and raise aquatic animals like fish, shrimp or crab in the same field. A more efficient use of the water for both, the aquatic animal and the lotus production, has been identified with this planting pattern.
Cultivation
The Sacred Lotus grows in water up to 2.5 meters deep. The minimum water depth should not be lower than 30cm. In colder climates such a low water level, which heats up more quickly, is helpful for better growth and flowering. Lotus germinates at temperatures above 13 ºC. Most varieties are not cold-hardy. In the growing season from April to September (northern hemisphere), the average daytime temperature needed is 23 to 27 °C. In regions with low light levels in winter, the sacred lotus has a period of dormancy. The tubers are not cold resistant, but can resist temperatures below 0°C if they are covered with an insulating cover of water or soil. During winter time, the roots have to be stored at a frost free place.
Planting
The sacred lotus requires a nutrient-rich loamy soil. In the beginning of the summer period (from March until May), a small part of rhizome with at least one eye is either planted in ponds or directly into a flooded field. There are several other propagation ways via seeds or buds. Furthermore tissue culture is a promising propagation method for the future to produce high volumes of uniform, true-to-type, disease free materials.
First step of the cultivation is to plough the dry field. One round of manure is applied after 10 days, before flooding the field. To support a quick initial growth, the water level is hold relatively low and is increased when plants grow. Then a maximum of approximately 4000 rhizome pieces per hectare are used to plant directly into the mud 10-15 cm below the soil surface.
Harvest
The stolon is ready to harvest 2-3 months after planting. It must be harvested before the flowering. Harvesting the stolon is done by manual labour, too. For this step, the field is not drained. By pulling and shaking the young leaves in the shallow water, the stolon is pulled out of the water.
Three months after planting, the first leaves and flowers can be harvested. Flowers can be picked every two days during summer and every three days during the colder season. Four months after planting, the production of flowers has its climax. The harvest of flowers is usually done by hand during 3 to 4 months.
Seeds and seed pods can be harvested when they turn black 4 to 8 months after planting. After (sun)drying for 2 to 3 days, they are processed by mechanical tools to separate seed coats and embryos.
The rhizomes mature to a suitable stage for eating in approximately 6-9 months. Early varieties are harvested in July until September and late varieties from October until March, after the ponds or fields are drained. The large, starch rich rhizomes are easy to dig out of the drained soil. In small scale production, they are harvested by hand using fork like tools. In Japan and on bigger farms the manual labour harvesting is fully replaced by machines.
Varieties and cultivars
Lotus varieties have been classified according to their use into three types: rhizome lotus, seed lotus and flower lotus. Varieties that show more than one of these characteristics are classified by the strongest feature. Regarding production area in China, rhizome lotus has the largest area with 200,000 ha, followed by seed lotus with 20,000 ha.
Rhizome lotus
Rhizome lotus cultivars produce higher yield of and better quality rhizomes than seed and flower lotus. Furthermore this group grows the tallest and produces no or very few flowers.
Cultivars can be classified by harvest time or by the depth of rhizomes into these types:
- Pre-mature cultivars are harvested before the end of July, serotinous cultivars from September on and mid-serotinous or mid-matutinal cultivars are in between these harvest times. Using pre-mature cultivars, rhizomes can be harvested earlier and therefore be sold for a higher price.
- Ad littoral, deep and intermediate cultivars are distinguished according to the depth in which the rhizomes grow underground. Adlittoral cultivars range from 10 to 20 cm depth and are often pre-mature. They develop faster due to higher temperature in surface soil layers. When harvested in July, adlittorals have higher yields than deeper growing cultivars, but not necessarily when harvested in September. Rhizomes of adlittoral cultivars are crisp and good for frying purposes. Deep cultivars grow more than 40 cm deep. They are often serotinous and can harvest high yield. Their rhizomes are starch-rich.
The main popular Nelumbo nucifera cultivars in China are Elian 1, Elian 4, Elian 5, 9217, Xin 1 and 00-01. Average yield of these cultivars is 7,5-15 t/ha of harvest in July and 30-45 t/ha of harvest in September. In Australia the cultivar grown for the fresh rhizome market is Quangdong and in Japan the best rhizome cultivars are Tenno and Bitchu.
Seed lotus
The characteristics of seed lotus cultivars are a large number of carpels and seed sets as well as large seeds with better nutritional properties. Roots of these varieties are thin, fibrous and do not form good rhizomes. The main popular cultivars for seed production in China are Cunsanlian, Xianglian 1, Zilian 2, Jianlian, Ganlian 62 and Taikong 36. Average yield of these cultivars in China is 1.05-1.9 t/ha of dry seeds and weight of thousand seeds between 1020 to 1800 g. Green Jade and Vietnam-Red are recommended cultivars for seed production in Australia.
Flower lotus
Flower lotus cultivars are used exclusively for ornamental purpose, produce a large number of flowers and the lowest plant height. Seed production of flower lotus is poor regarding yield and quality. Flower types differ in the number of petals (single petals, double petals or multi-petals) and their colours range from single colour in white, yellow, pink, red to bi-colour, most often of white petals with pink tip or highlights.
Usage
Usage in water treatment
Nelumbo nucifera shows high potential for usage in wastewater treatment removing polluting compounds and heavy metals. It is able to grow in variable water conditions and in low light intensity. Various studies show the successful use of N. nucifera to counteract water eutrophication. The leafs of the floating Lotus reduces sunlight reaching the lower part of the water. This suppresses algae growth in N. nucifera aquatic systems and thus, the oxygen content is up to 20% higher than in other aquatic plant systems. Due to intense agricultural practices, nitrogen and phosphorus pollution are major problems in aquatic systems. N. nucifera is able to assimilate phosphorus in a higher content than currently used aquatic plants for water remediation (such as water hyacinth). It assimilates nitrogen and additionally creates a habitat for bacterial growth in the water body including denitrification. Through rhizofiltration heavy metals including arsenic, copper, cadmium can be removed efficiently from the water. The results observed are impressive showing 96% of cooper and 85% cadmium metals removed in a 7-d incubation period. The accumulation of heavy metals doesn't show morphological symptoms of metal toxicity; however, the rhizome quality for human consumption needs further study.
Commercialization limit through storage restrictions
Currently most rhizomes are consumed freshly and it is not widely common to store them due to their poor shelf life performance. This limits export possibilities for low-income production countries in Asia. Rhizomes quickly lose water, oxidation occurs and nutrient composition change within short time after harvest. Optimal storage temperatures ranges between 5 to 8°C. There are three different approaches to store rhizomes. By stacking the rhizome, they are storable and fresh for about 3 weeks. Special stacking with silver sand and soil results in 5 to 6 layers that prevent water loss, thus the rhizome is fresh for up to 2 months. However the method is not applicable for commercialization but rather for home use. Through hydrogen sulfide fumigation enzymatic browning is reduced and therefore quality of N. nucifera is ensured. Dipping the rhizomes in a NaCl solution prevents oxidation and bacterial reproduction, which allows a storage up to 5 months and a better export ability. This treatment is related to high cost and inefficient cleaning process before eating the rhizomes.
Usage in bioengineering
Nelumbo nucifera contains some thermal-stable proteins that might be useful in protein bio engineering processes. The proteins are characterized by seed longevity used for cell protection and repair under stress. There are also several indications that compounds of N. nucifera are used in drug fabrication in human health research for multiple purposes.
Health properties and nutrients
Traditional medicine
All parts of Nelumbo nucifera are edible, with the rhizome and seeds being the main consumption parts. Traditionally rhizomes, leaves and seeds have been used as folk medicines, Ayurveda, Chinese traditional medicine and oriental medicine. While leaves are used as drug against hematemesis, epistaxis and hematuria, the flowers should help against diarrhea, cholera, fever and hyperdipsia. Rhizomes are promoted due to their diuretic, antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory properties. Seeds are used to treat, for example, tissue inflammation, cancer and skin diseases, leprosy and poison antidote. In Chinese medicine seeds are still used as Lian Zi Xi.
Lotus rhizomes and seeds and their processing by-products are widely consumed in Asia, Americas, and Oceania for high content of physiologically active substances. Especially in China, lotus seeds are popular with a cultural history going back about 3000 years. As early as the Han Dinasty, lotus seeds were already recorded as sweet, astringent, nourishing the heart and kidney in "Shen Nong's Herbal Classic". Nowadays there are 22 varieties for the four known Chinese lines, which are found particularly in Jianning (still called "the town of Jianlian lotus seeds in China") and Guangchang ("the town of white lotus seeds in China").
These days the perennial aquatic herb is gaining popularity because of its nutraceutical and historical importance It will be of economic value if the different parts of lotus can be developed as functional food. Because of the special role in human health and richness in nutrients and bioactive substances, the Chinese Ministry of Health approved the use of N. nucifera as both "food and medicine".
Rhizomes
The rhizomes are 60-140 cm long, 0.5-2.5 cm in diameter, yellowish white to yellowish brown, smooth and with nodes and internodes.
The lotus root is used to treat various health diseases and to add seasoning to the food. Lotus root is a moderate calorie root vegetable (100 g root-stem provides about 74 calories) and is composed of several vitamins, minerals and nutrients: 83.80% water, 0.11% fat, 1.56% reducing sugar, 0.41% sucrose, 2.70% crude protein, 9.25% starch, 0.80% fiber, 0.10% ash and 0.06% calcium.
100 g root provide 44 mg of vitamin C or 73% of daily recommended values (RDA). This water-soluble antioxidant is essential for the collagen synthesis inside the human body and helps preventing deficiencies and their consequences. (USDA National Nutritional Database.)
Lotus rhizome and its extracts have shown diuretic, psychopharmacological, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, hypoglycemic, antipyretic and antioxidant activities.
Seeds
Lotus seeds are mostly oval or spherical, with sizes varying according to varieties. They are generally 1.2-1.8 cm long, with diameter ranging from 0.8 to 1.4 cm and a weight of 1.1-1.4 g. After lotus seeds have been decorticated and peeled, they are edible and rich in nutrients, and can be dried for storage. Their nutritional values can differ due to culture environments and varieties.
Not only do these seeds contain proteins of high quality and are rich in variety of essential amino acids including high contents of albumin (42%) and globulin (27%), they also contain unsaturated fatty acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, calcium, iron, zinc, phosphorus and other trace elements. They also provide water-soluble polysaccharides, alkaloids, flavonoids, superoxide dismutase and other bioactive components.
Lotus seed also contain particularly large amounts of vitamins, including VB1, VB2, VB6 and Vitamin E.
The functional components (polyphenols, protein, polysaccharides) in N. nucifera seeds can help combatting high blood pressure, diabetes and gallstones. Lotus seed's water-soluble polysaccharides have also been shown to promote lymphocyte transformation and enhance the immune function.
After lotus seed germination, crude protein and fat levels in the endosperm significantly increase. It is therefore an important method to enhance its nutritional quality.
Chemical composition
The flavonol miquelianin (Quercetin 3-O-glucuronide), as well as the alkaloids (+)-1(R)-coclaurine and (-)-1(S)-norcoclaurine, can be found in the leaves of N. nucifera. The plant also contains nuciferine and aporphine.
Human consumption
Rhizomes
The rhizomes of lotus are called ?u (?) in pinyin Chinese, ngau in Cantonese, Nelum Ala (?????? ??) in Sinhala, thambou in Meitei, kamal kakri in Hindi, renkon (????, ??) in Japanese, and yeongeun (??) in Korean.
They are consumed as a vegetable in Asian countries, extensively in China and Japan: sold whole or in cut pieces, fresh, frozen, or canned. They are fried or cooked mostly in soups, soaked in syrup or pickled in vinegar (with sugar, chili and garlic). Lotus rhizomes have a crunchy texture with sweet-tangy flavours and are a classic dish at many banquets where you find rhizomes deep-fried, stir-fried, or stuffed with meats or preserved fruits. Salads with prawns, sesame oil or coriander leaves are also popular. Unfortunately, fresh lotus root slices are limited by a fast browning rate.
Japan is one of the primary users of the rhizomes, representing about 1% of all vegetables consumed. Japan grows its own lotus but still must import 18'000 tons of lotus rhizome each year, of which China provides 15,000 tons yearly.
Rhizomes contain high amounts of starch (31.2%) without characteristic taste or odor. The texture is comparable to a raw potato. The binding and disintegration properties of isolated Nelumbo starch have been compared with maize and potato starch; Nelumbo starch is shown to be superior as an adjuvant in the preparation of tablets. When dried, N. nucifera is also made into flour, another popular use of this vegetable.
Seeds
Fresh lotus seeds (liánz?, ??; or xi?n liánz?, ???, in Chinese) are nutritious but also vulnerable to microbial contamination, especially fungal infections. Therefore, mostly dry lotus seed-based products are found on the market. Traditional sun baking combining with charcoal processing dries the seeds but results in loss of nutrients. Freeze-dried lotus seeds have a longer shelf life and maintain original nutrients , while no differences in flavour is found after rehydration compared to fresh lotus seeds.
Dry stored lotus seeds are sensitive to moisture and mold infestation; researchers continue to explore new ways to preserve fresh lotus seeds for example radiation processing.
Lotus seeds can be processed into moon cake, lotus seed noodles and food in forms of paste, fermented milk, rice wine, ice cream, popcorn (phool makhana) and others, with lotus seeds as the main raw material. Fresh lotus seed wine has thirst quenching, spleen and antidiarrheal advantages after drinking.
There is still much potential for research and development, mainly reflected in the extraction, separation and purification of lotus seed nutrients and bioactive compounds.
Stems
Young lotus stems are used as a salad ingredient in Vietnamese cuisine.The stamens can be dried and made into a fragrant herbal tea called liánhu? cha (???) in Chinese, or used to impart a scent to tea leaves (particularly in Vietnam). This Vietnamese lotus tea is called trà sen, chè sen, or chè ??p sen.
In South Indian states, the lotus stem is sliced, marinated with salt to dry, and the dried slices are fried and used as a side dish. In Kerala (in Malayalam "????") and Tamil Nadu, this end product is called " Thamara Vathal".
Risks of consumption
The petals, leaves, and rhizome can also all be eaten raw, but there is a risk of parasite transmission (e.g., Fasciolopsis buski): it is therefore recommended that they be cooked before eating.
Other uses
The distinctive dried seed heads, which resemble the spouts of watering cans, are widely sold throughout the world for decorative purposes and for dried flower arranging. In Asia, the petals are sometimes used for garnish, while the large leaves are used as a wrap for food, not frequently eaten (for example, as a wrapper for zongzi).
In Korea, the leaves and petals are used as a tisane. Yeonkkotcha (???) is made with dried petals of white lotus and yeonipcha (???) is made with the leaves.
A unique fabric from the lotus plant fibers is produced only at Inle lake, Myanmar and in Siem Reap (Cambodia) is used for weaving special robes for Buddha images called kya thingahn (lotus robe).
Cultural significance
Nelumbo nucifera is the species of lotus sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists.
Hindus revere it with the divinities Vishnu and Lakshmi often portrayed on a pink lotus in iconography. In the representation of Vishnu as Padmanabha (Lotus navel), a lotus issues from his navel with Brahma on it. Goddess Sarasvati is portrayed on a white-colored lotus.
Often used as an example of divine beauty, Vishnu is often described as the "Lotus-Eyed One". Its unfolding petals suggest the expansion of the soul. The growth of its pure beauty from the mud of its origin holds a benign spiritual promise. In Hindu iconography, other deities, like Ganga and Ganesha are often depicted with lotus flowers as their seats.
The lotus plant is cited extensively within Puranic and Vedic literature, for example:
One who performs his duty without attachment, surrendering the results unto the Supreme Lord, is unaffected by sinful action, as the lotus is untouched by water.
In Chinese culture Confucian scholar Zhou Dunyi wrote:
I love the lotus because while growing from mud, it is unstained.
Chinese: ????????????
Many deities of Asian religions are depicted as seated on a lotus flower. In Buddhist symbolism, the lotus represents purity of the body, speech, and mind as if floating above the muddy waters of attachment and desire. According to legend, Gautama Buddha was born with the ability to walk with lotus flowers blooming everywhere he stepped. In Tibet, Padmasambhava, the Lotus-Born, is considered the Second Buddha, having brought Buddhism to that country by conquering or converting local deities. In Christianity, the St. Thomas Cross features a lotus underneath a cross.
In the classical written and oral literature of many Asian cultures the lotus is present in figurative form, representing elegance, beauty, perfection, purity and grace, being often used in poems and songs as an allegory for ideal feminine attributes. In Sanskrit the word lotus (padma ????) has many synonyms.
Since the lotus thrives in water, ja (denoting birth) is added to synonyms of water to derive some synonyms for the lotus, like ambuja (ambu= water + ja=born of), neerja (neera=water + ja= born of), pankaj, pankaja, kamal, kamala, kunala, aravind, arvind, nalin,nalini and saroja and names derived from the lotus, like padmavati (possessing lotuses) or padmini (full of lotuses). These names and derived versions are often used to name girls, and to a lesser extent boys, in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, as well as in many other countries influenced by Indic culture, like Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia and Laos.
Drawing in turn on these beliefs, the international Bahá'í community adopted this symbolism in the design of the Lotus Temple in New Delhi, India.
The lotus flower is also the state flower of several Indian states, including Karnataka, Haryana, and Andhra Pradesh.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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