Nutritional Analysis of Leafy Vegetables Grown in Periphery of Allahabad District, UP, India

Leafy vegetables constitute an important part of the human diet since these contain carbohydrate, protein, vitamin, minerals and fibers require for human health. In recent years their consumption is increasing gradually particularly among the urban community. This is due to increased awareness on the food value of vegetables, as a result of exposure to other cultures and acquiring proper education. Periphery of Allahabad district namely Naini, Jhunsi, Fafamau and Mundera were selected purposively for the present study as they are peri- urban areas. Use of water for irrigating the vegetable crops from tanks that are part of the city drainage system and drain untreated or partially treated domestic sewage and industrial effluents from a number of small scale units. Fresh leafy vegetable samples were collected in triplicate form from four above mentioned study sites. The collected sample was including Soya leaves/dill (Anethum graveolens L. ) and Fenugreek leaves (Trigonella foenum- graecum), Spinach (Spinacia oleracea). Nutrient contents were determined according to the methods described in AOAC (1980). There were found to be non- significant difference between places but it was for vegetables with regards to all nutrients except to calcium contents. The protein contents of all vegetables for all places were ranged from 2.16gm to 8.83gm, fat contents were ranged from 0.55gm to 0.97gm, CHO contents were 2.78gm. to 12.04gm, total ash contents were 1.70gm. to 3.36gm, iron contents were 1.33mg to 10.66mg and 74.83mg to 405.21mg were for calcium contents. The order of vegetables in respective to their nutrient contents along with their mean were as follows Protein Soya leaves (7.57gm. ) greater than Fenugreek leaves (5.63gm) greater than Spinach (2.51gm). Fat Fenugreek leaves (0.87gm) greater than Soya leaves (0.80gm. ) greater than Spinach (0.63gm). Carbohydrate Soya leaves (13.27gm) greater than Fenugreek leaves (8.96gm. ) greater than Spinach (2.88gm). Total ash Soya leaves (2.63gm. ) greater than Spinach (2.38gm. ) greater than Fenugreek leaves (1.80gm. ). Iron Soya leaves (9.81gm. ) greater than Fenugreek leaves (2.21gm. ) greater than Spinach (2.12gm). Calcium Fenugreek leaves (367.07gm) greater than Soya leaves (206.27gm) greater than Spinach (83.64gm).