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The study entitled 'Quality attributes of selected leafy vegetables' was
undertaken to estimate the nutrient composition, anti-nutritional factors and
organoleptic qualities of eight leafy vegetables, along with the control variety,
Amaranthus tricolor L. available and maintained in the Department of
Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara. All the above attributes were
evaluated during summer and rainy seasons.
The leaves were analysed for moisture, protein, fat, fibre, starch, soluble
carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, iron, beta-carotene and vitamin C. The results
revealed that among the different constituents, the mean protein content of the
. .control variety. was found to be significantly higher than the other leafy vegetables.
All the leafy vegetables were found to be rich in iron, beta-carotene and vitamin C.
The mean fibre, soluble carbohydrate and vitamin C contents were highest in
centella, whereas bengalkeera had the highest mean value for starch and calcium.
The highest phosphorus, iron and beta-carotene contents were in kangkong leaves.
Except the beta-carotene content during summer season, all the other constituents
of the different leafy vegetables varied significantly during summer and rainy
seasons. However, significant increase in the calcium, phosphorus, iron and
vitamin C contents were observed during rainy season.
The average nutritive values computed on the basis of the nutrient content
of the leafy vegetables, revealed that kangkong had the highest nutritive value
among the leafy vegetables selected for the study. The average nutritive value of
the leaves was also found to be higher during rainy season.
The anti-nutritional factors namely, oxalates and nitrates in the leaves were
also analysed during summer and rainy seasons. The results revealed that bengal
keera and Amaranthus tricolor L. had the highest oxalate and nitrate contents
respectively than the other leafy vegetables. Variation in both the anti-nutritional

factors was also observed between the leafy vegetables during summer and rainy
seasons. However, the variation was found to be insignificant between the two
seasons.
Based on the nutrient composition and anti-nutritional factors, the leafy
vegetables were grouped into three clusters, each cluster containing similar leafy
vegetables. Cluster I contained arakeera, centella, horse purslane and kangkong
along with the control variety amaranth. Basella and waterleaf constituted cluster II
and aksharakeera and bengalkeera constituted cluster Ill.
Results of the organoleptic evaluation indicated significant variation m
acceptability between the leafy vegetables during summer and rainy seasons and
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the leafy vegetables were found to be more acceptable during summer season.
Among the different leaves the control variety (Amaranthus tricolor L.) was found
to be more acceptable.
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