Nutritional Composition, Antinutrient Contents, and Polyphenol Compounds of Selected Underutilized and Some Commonly Consumed Vegetables in East Wollega, West Ethiopia

Abstract

In Ethiopia, some plants (Ethiopia kale, Swiss chard, and celery) remain underutilized for human consumption, as information on their nutritional potential remains limited. As a result, the purpose of this study was to determine the proximate, mineral, antinutrient, and phytochemical content of Ethiopia kale (Brassica carinata), Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris), carrot (Daucus carota), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), and cabbage (Brassica oleracea) using standard analytical methods. The moisture, crude protein, crude fiber, crude fat, total ash, total carbohydrate, and energy contents were found to be 6.44–16.62%, 6.76–33.64%, 9.19–54.86%, 0.50–4.00%, 1.00–2.75%, 7.28–68.73%, and 141.06–333.28 kcal/100 g, respectively. Ethiopia's kale had a high protein content, while celery had a high fat and fiber content. The calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorous, potassium, zinc, and sodium content (mg/100 gdb) ranged between 8.00 and 306.00, 8.10–11.83, 0.64–4.85, 11.34–63.00, 2.83–810.00, 0.15–41.65, and 1.50–443.80 mg/100 g, respectively. Swiss chard contained magnesium, potassium, and sodium, whereas celery was high in calcium and iron. The total oxalate, condensed tannin, and phytate (mg/100 gdb) ranged as follows: 0.88–4.92, 138.27–892.19, and 69.14–265.99, respectively. Ethiopia’s kale recorded a comparatively low amount of tannin and phytate. High mineral bioavailability, such as calcium, iron, and zinc, was obtained in Ethiopia kale. The results also showed that Ethiopia's kale contained a good amount of total phenolic and flavonoid content. The findings indicated that Ethiopia kale was a significant source of protein, had low antinutrient content with high mineral bioavailability, and had the potential to formulate nutrient-rich infant and young child foods using staple cereals and pulse grains.