Abstract
Minerals and phytochemical analysis of bitter melon fruits and its components in some indigenous and exotic cultivars
Highlights
Bitter melon (Momordica charantia L.) is a climbing perennial, tendril-bearing vine belongs to family Cucurbitaceae
Bitter melon is known as Karella, bitter gourd, balsam-pear, bitter squash or wild cucumber (KRAWINKEL; KEDING, 2006) and is characterized by elongated, warty fruit-like gourds or cumbers which are extensively consumed as vegetable (ASSUBAIE; EL-GARAWANY, 2004)
Estimation of mineral contents The mean values regarding mineral contents in bitter melon cultivars (Table 1) depicted that the highest potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, calcium, iron and zinc were found in Black King
Summary
Bitter melon (Momordica charantia L.) is a climbing perennial, tendril-bearing vine belongs to family Cucurbitaceae. Bitter melon was used as a folk medicine to cure variety of ailments This versatile plant is considered to be commendable of treating almost any disease inflicted on mankind. Sodium, potassium, magnesium, manganese, iron, and zinc are found in reasonable amount in bitter melon (BAKARE et al, 2010). These minerals are vital in proper functioning of body as calcium has a pivotal role in muscle contraction, in the formation of bone and teeth and in clotting of blood in trauma (PETERS; MARTINI, 2010). Skin, flesh and seeds of the fruits were evaluated to compare the relative abundance of these minerals and phytochemicals in these parts
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