Proximate Composition, Nutritional Attributes and Mineral Composition of <em>Peperomia</em> <em>pellucida</em> L. (Ketumpangan Air) Grown in Malaysia

This study presents the proximate and mineral composition of <em>Peperomia</em> <em>pellucida</em> L., an underexploited weed plant in Malaysia. Proximate analysis was performed using standard AOAC methods and mineral contents were determined u...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Maznah Ismail, Der-Jiun Ooi, Shahid Iqbal
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2012-09-01
Series:Molecules
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/17/9/11139
Description
Summary:This study presents the proximate and mineral composition of <em>Peperomia</em> <em>pellucida</em> L., an underexploited weed plant in Malaysia. Proximate analysis was performed using standard AOAC methods and mineral contents were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry. The results indicated <em>Peperomia</em> <em>pellucida</em> to be rich in crude protein, carbohydrate and total ash contents. The high amount of total ash (31.22%) suggests a high-value mineral composition comprising potassium, calcium and iron as the main elements. The present study inferred that <em>Peperomia</em> <em>pellucida</em> would serve as a good source of protein and energy as well as micronutrients in the form of a leafy vegetable for human consumption.
ISSN:1420-3049