Quality evaluation of selected leafy vegetables consumed by the tribes of Wayanad district

Abstract

The study entitled 'Quality evaluation of selected leafy vegetables consumed by the tribes of Wayanad District' was undertaken to estimate the nutrient composition, anti- nutritional factors and organoleptic qualities of the ten leafy vegetables consumed by the tribal communities ofWayanad district. The leaves were analysed for moisture, protein, fat, crude fibre, total carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, potassium, carotene and vitamin C. The results revealed that among the nutritional constituents, protein content was highest in Thakara than the other nine leafy vegetables. The fat , phosphorus, and sodium were highest in Kandariyila, where as Kannisoup had the highest value for total carbohydrates, iron and potassium. The highest crude fibre, calcium and ~ carotene were in Valiya kadaladi. Chumalacheera was found to have the highest vitamin C content among the ten leafy vegetables studied. The anti-nutritional factors namely oxalates and nitrates III the leaves indicated that Kandariyila had the highest oxalate and nitrate content. Oxalate content was found to be low in Kozhuppa, while Kannisoup had the lowest nitrate content. Other chemical constituents like phenols, flavanoids and methanol extractable crude alkaloids were also estimated. The total phenol content was highest in Chumalacheera whereas, the flavanoid and methanol extractable crude alkaloid contents were found to be highest in Kandariyila. The average nutritive value computed on the basis of nutrient content of the leafy vegetables revealed that Valiya kadaladi had the highest nutritive value among the leafy vegetables selected for the study.

Organoleptic evaluation of the leafy vegetables indicated Churuli as the most acceptable one. Based on the nutrient and anti nutrient composition, the leafy vegetables were grouped into four clusters, each cluster containing similar leafy vegetables. Cluster I contained Churuli, Kandariyila and Murikkila. Kozhuppa and Valiya kadaladi were included in Cluster II and III respectively. Ambasheppu, Chumalacheera, Kannisoup, Ponnankanni and Thakara were included in Cluster IV. Valiya kadaladi, which was included as the sole member of Cluster III, was found to be the best with respect to higher nutrients and lower anti-nutritional factors.