Comparison of the nutrient content of commercially purchased medium seed brown lentils with the world’s leading database

Abstract

The purpose of our study was to ensure that comparing the mineral content of the lentil and the amount of nutrients published by the world's leading organizations. The samples were randomly and subjectively selected from different retail outlets. Fifteen types of medium seed brown lentil from fifteen different distributors were obtained and analyzed for moisture, protein, Na, K, Ca, Mg, P, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, and S content. Descriptive statistics were done and for comparisons. Shapiro–Wilk test was first conducted to assess normality. When data followed a normal distribution, T-test was used, and when not, Wilcoxon signed rank test (P-values = 0.05). The results of the measurements were compared with data from several FAO/INFOODS food composition databases, as well as the Canadian National Food Composition Database, USDA Food Data Central, United Kingdom, Australian Food Composition Database, and Indian food composition tables. The evaluation of the measurement results showed significant differences (p = 0.05) in the amount of Na, K, Ca, Mg, P, Fe, and Cu compared to the amounts listed in the world's leading databases in most cases. Our results were also examined from a dietary perspective to determine if the differences had practical significance. The results of the Canadian samples were compared with the Canadian database, there was a significant difference amount of Na, K, Ca, Mg, P, Fe, Cu, and Mn. For each discrepancy, more than the quantitative values published in the databases were measured, in the case of Ca, Mg, and Fe almost double.