The nutritive value of Lactuca sativa.

Abstract

Lactuca sativa was analyzed for its proximate and mineral composition using standard methods of food analysis. On dry weight basis, the leaves had the following proximate composition: Ash (13.8 ± 0.01%), Crude protein (11.17 ± 0.02%), Crude lipid (8.13 ± 0.03%) and available carbohydrate (20.25 ± 0.01%). Lactuca sativa had high moisture content (91.11 ± 0.02% wet weight) with appreciable calorific value of 167.60 ± 0.03 Kcal/100g. The mineral composition in mg/100g dry weight are K (2563.15 ± 0.02), Na (55.17 ± 0.01), Ca (43.13 ± 0.03), P (10.19 ± 0.02), Mg (78.53 ± 0.12), Cu (12.54 ± 0.03), Fe (11.64 ± 0.01), Mn (1.19 ± 0.02) and Zn (10.43 ± 0.04). When the minerals detected were compared with US Recommended Dietary Allowances, K and Cu were found to be adequate for all the categories of people while Fe was adequate for adult male and children (7-10) respectively.