Nutritional Assessment of Monochoria vaginalis, a Wild Edible Vegetable Supplement to the Human Diet

Abstract

Monochoria vaginalis (Burm. f.) C. Presl. is a common weed in Oryza sativa L. fields that has use as a vegetable. The objective of the study was to evaluate the nutritional composition of leaves and flowers of M. vaginalis. Almost all essential and nonessential amino acids were present in leaves and flowers. The amount of nonessential amino acids, especially aspartic acid and glutamic acid, was higher in flowers than leaves. There was more nitrogen in leaves (9.7 mg/100 g) than flowers (6.3 mg/100 g). Phosphorus, potassium, magnesium copper, manganese, and calcium were found in samples in levels that would allow this plant to provide adequate nutrition. Proteins (10.8 g/100 g) and carbohydrates (4.6 g/100 g) in flowers were higher than in leaves. Antinutritional compounds total free phenolics and tannins were also estimated. The amount of nutrition in M. vaginalis indicates that it can be used as a nutritional food supplement.

Keywords:

• Amino acids
• Antinutrition
• Carbohydrates
• Minerals
• Proteins

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr. Anandan, CIFT, Cochin, Kerala, India, and Dr. S. Manian, Department of Botany, Bharathiar University, for their help and guidance during the course of this investigation.