Nutrient Composition of Amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor) and Kondhara (Digeria arvensis) Leaves and Their Products

Recipes of amarnath (Amaranthus tricolor) and kondhara (Digeria arvensis) leaves were standardized in the laboratory and analyzed for their nutrient content. The protein, fat, total minerals, crude fibre, carbohydrates and energy content of raw leaves varied from 27.89 to 28.44, 1.74 to 4.55, 20.26 to 22.61, 5.50 to 8.00, 38.90 to 42.11 g and 294.64 to 310.31 Kcal/100 g, dry weight (d.w.), respectively. Ca, Fe, ascorbic acid and ((beta)-carotene content of the raw leaves were 3135.0 to 3289.58, 3.35 to 8.98, 104.34 to 170.39 mg/100 g and 13464 to 14057 (mu)g1100 g, d.w, respectively. Paratha and poori were prepared by incorporating amaranth leaves. Bengal gram dhal, green gram dhal, raita and sag were prepared by incorporating kondhara leaves. Protein, fat, minerals, crude fibre, carbohydrates and energy content of their products varied from 11.48 to 30.44, 7.25 to 28.77, 2.64 to 21.33, 0.25 to 5.75, 38.56 to 70.72 g/l00g and 367.33 to 533.29 Kcal/100 g, d.w., respectively. Ca, Fe, ascorbic acid and (beta)-carotene content of their products were 127.30 to 3350.0, 1.50 to 4.10, 5.41 to 60.83 mg/100 g and 1710 to 10557 (mu)gl.100 g, dw, respectively. It is concluded that these leaves and their products are good sources of protein, Ca, Fe, and (beta)-carotene.