Nutritional characters and antioxidant activity of some underexploited minor leafy vegetables of Kerala
Abstract
TThe present study investigated the biochemical characters, antioxidant activity, and certain antinutrients of selected minor leafy vegetables viz., Basella alba, Cnidoscolus aconitifolius and Alternanthera sessilis, which are grown in Kerala. The results of the study revealed that, Basella alba as a notable source of nutrients viz., total protein (15.25%), total chlorophyll (136.91mg 100g-1), and total phenols (152.06mg GAE100g-1), along with the lowest antinutrient content including nitrates (0.89mgg-1) and oxalates(13.46mgg-1). Cnidoscolus aconitifolius was found to be richest in moisture content (76.20%), crude fibre (31.05%), ascorbic acid content (163.51mg100g-1), antioxidant activity (RSA =73.17%), while exhibiting moderate levels of nitrates (0.92mgg-1) and phytates (1.55mgg-1). Alternanthera sessilis was reportedly remarkable with the highest total carbohydrate (74.56g100g-1), crude fat (3.81%), and total carotenoid content (24.14mg100g-1), in addition to moderate oxalate levels (20.43mgg-1), and trace amounts of phytates (0.55mgg-1).
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