Proximate, mineral composition and antioxidant properties of some wild leafy vegetables

Abstract

We analysed five wild leafy vegetables (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Amaranthus viridis, Chenopodium album, Diplazium esculentum, Nasturtium officinale </i>and<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"> Urtica dioica</i>) of Sikkim for proximate and mineral composition. Wild leafy vegetables (WLV) of Sikkim are found nutritionally rich in terms of calorific value, fibre, protein and low fat which altogether indicate the potentiality of the WLVs as good source of non-conventional vegetables. WLVs were also analysed for antioxidant properties, total phenolic content and vitamin C content. All five WLVs were found to exhibit moderate antioxidant activity with variability in total phenolic content and vitamin C content. It firmly establishes rich nutritional efficiency of WLVs in the local diets.