QUALITATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE COMMONLY USED VEGETABLES IN USTERZAI OF KOHAT REGION

Abstract

The present study was conducted with the aim to investigate the proximate composition and elemental analysis of important leafy (Malva sylvestris, Eruca sativa, and Mentha sylvestris) and fleshy (Brassica rapa, Brassica oleracea var. botyris, and Raphanus sativus) vegetables, which are commonly used in the rural areas of Usterzai (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – Pakistan). The proximate parameters (moisture, fat, protein, carbohydrate, ash and crude fiber) were evaluated by using AOAC methods whereas elemental analyses were carried-out by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The results showed that R. sativus had highest moisture contents (15.46 ± 0.16%). The ash and protein contents were highest in M. sylvestris (18.48 ± 0.01% and 16.16 ± 0.32% respectively). E. sativa has highest fiber (14.64 ± 0.24%) contents while B. oleracaea had highest carbohydrate (86.22 ± 0.54%) and energy values (354.17±0.54 Kcal/100g). In case of micro and macro nutrient concentrations, the R. sativus had highest iron (13.03 ± 0.14), copper (9.96 ± 0.16), manganese (0.79 ± 0.01), cadmium (0.21 ± 0.01) and lead (0.44 ± 0.02) while E. sativa had highest magnesium (25.65 ± 0.21) and M. sylvestris had highest sodium (81.04 ± 0.17) concentrations. In conclusion, the present support the results that B. oleracaea and R. sativus are active in nutritional qualities. Thus, toxic elements such as cadmium and lead are negligible in concentrations making these vegetables more healthful to the local people.