Abstract

NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION AND ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF COASTAL, WILD LEAFY VEGETABLES FROM RATNAGIRI DISTRICT OF MAHARASHTRA

Lubdha Kagale* and Anjali Sabale

ABSTRACT

Green leafy vegetable consumption has been associated with a decreased risk of persistent metabolic diseases. In the present work nutritional potential, secondary metabolites and antioxidant capacity of four leafy vegetables from Ratnagiri district were assessed and compared. The moisture content in the vegetables ranged from 87.02- 91.42%. Crude fiber and protein content were high in Clerodendrum serratum (17.2% and 14.54% respectively).Celosia argentea showed the highest percentage of ash (13.7%). Lipid content ranged between 1.6-2.73%, while carbohydrates were highest in Amorphophallus paeoniifolius. Among the various macronutrients estimated in these wild leafy vegetables calcium was present in the highest quantity (3931mg/100g) followed by sodium (660mg/100g) and magnesium (468mg/100g). Micronutrients such as zinc, copper, iron, cobalt were present in optimum concentration in these vegetables. The total antioxidant capacity ranged from 41.14-169.81mg/g being highest in the ethanolic extract of Clerodendrum serratum. These vegetables were found nutritionally adequate and also possessed a significant antioxidant potential.

Keywords: Wild leafy vegetables, Proximate analysis, Minerals, Antioxidant activity.