Determination of Nutrient Contents of Some Medicinal Plants Sold by Herbalists in Bingöl

Abstract

Objective: In this study, the nutritional parameters such as moisture, ash, crude fiber, crude protein, crude fat, carbohydrate and nutritive value of sage (Salvia officinalis), linden (Tilia platyphyllos), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), daisy (Matricaria chamomilla) and ginger (Zingiber officinale) plants sold in Bingol herbalists and widely used for treatment among the public were determined by analysis. Methods: In 2019, 5 different medicinal plant samples were obtained from 3 different herbalists in Bingöl. Afterwards, the nutritional contents of these plants were analyzed using official Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) methods and different biochemical methods. Results: Moisture, ash, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, carbohydrate percentages and nutritional values (kcal/100g) of the studied plant samples (0.10 %- 5.67, 4.67 - 11.89, 6.59 - 18.22, 2.12 - 6.80, 16.65 - 29.16, 40.18 - 63.68 %and 245.66kcal - 347.49kcal), respectively. The moisture contents of sage, linden and daisy samples were determined as 0.85 % to 4.84 % and they were found safe for consumption according to the Herbal Tea Standard of the TS 12933 Turkish Standards Institute,but ash levels exceeding the limit level of thyme samples (10.78-11.89 %) were found to be unsuitable. The moisture content of the thyme and ginger samples (0.10 - 5.67 %) (maximum 12 % for both), as well as the ash content of the thyme samples (maximum 14 %) and ginger (maximum 12 %) all fall within the Turkish Food Codex limit values.While statistically significant differences were observed in moisture, ash, crude fiber, carbohydrate and nutritional value groups (p<0.05), no difference was observed in crude protein and crude fat groups (p>0.05). The crude protein content of daisy (D2,D3) and linden (L1,L2) samples, the crude fiber content of daisy (D2,D3) and thyme (T1,T2,T3) samples, the carbohydrate content of ginger (G1,G2,G3) and sage (S1,S3) samples were all found to be high. Conclusion: Plants such as Salvia officinalis and Zingiber officinale, which are rich in carbohydrates, crude protein and crude fiber content, are used for medicinal purposes. In addition, plants with high nutritional value can be added to the herbal combination content of individuals following a vegetarian or vegan diet.