Nutrient Content of Three Edible Wild Plants From Polygonaceae Family

Abstract

Polygonaceae family has some important species which grow wild in Turkey. These species have been consumed commonly as raw in salads, cooked as a meal and used as medicinal purposes in folkloric medicine. In this study, nutritional value and mineral compositions of used parts of some plants from Polygonaceae family that grows wild in Van district of Eastern Anatolia, Turkey were determined. Rheum ribes L., Rumex acetosella L. and Rumex scutatus L. were the investigated species. As nutritional value, dry matter, total ash, N %, % crude protein, % crude fibre and pH were determined. Also, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Pb, S and Zn were investigated in plant samples. According to the results, species studied had different chemical compositions. Rheum ribes L. and Rumex scutatus L. had richer chemical composition than Rumex acetosella L.. In general, these edible wild species from Polygonaceae family could be useful and safe for human consumption and health.