Vol. 12, Special Issue 12 (2023)

Author(s):
Sandhya Dhyani and Rita S Raghuvanshi

Abstract:
Underutilized edible plants play a significant role in food and economic security. The study was undertaken to investigate the nutritional composition of the dehydrated leaf powder of Colocasia esculenta (Colocasia). The Colocasia plants are basically grown for their edible tubers but the leaves are still considered as underutilized. The leaves of the Colocasia plant were collected, sorted, washed, blanched and dried for the preparation of Colocasia leaf (CL) powder. Colocasia leaf (CL) powder was analysed for proximate content, minerals, antioxidants, vitamins and antinutritional factors. The dehydrated CL powder is a concentrated source of various nutrients such as crude protein (33.27%), crude fibre (15.66%), calcium (316.51 mg), iron (47.08 mg) and beta-carotene (1239 µg). The phytochemical content comprised of flavonoids (169.26 mg RE), total phenol content (52.76 mg GAE) and total antioxidant activity (68.02%). The value added savoury snack Sev was prepared by substituting gram flour with 3%, 5%, 7%, 9% and 11% CL powder. The products were evaluated organoleptically on a score card. Sev with 7% CL powder incorporated Sev was accepted organoleptically. The value-added product made by incorporating CL powder can be consumed for preventing various public health diseases such as vitamin A deficiency, iron deficiency anaemia and protein deficiencies among the population.