Minerals, proximate composition and their correlations of medicinal plants from Jordan

Abstract

Ten medicinal plants (Corianderum sativum, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Lepidium sativum, Nigella sativa L., Petroselinum crispum, Salvia officinalis, Saponaria officinalis, Thymus capitatus,Origanum majorana, Trigonella foenum–graecum) were subjected to proximate and mineral analysis. Results showed that chemical composition of the investigated medicinal plants varied significantly. Protein (5.4 %) in T. foenum –graecum, fat (43.8%) in N. sativa, fiber (48.6%) in L. sativum and carbohydrates (65%) in H. sabdariffa. The highest ash content (17.5%) was found in P. crispum. Dry matter content ranged between 82.2 (P. crispum)and 97.2% (N. sativa). Mineral content found to vary significantly. Appreciable amounts of Ca, K, Na, Mg and P were found, whereas Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn found in trace amounts in all plants. The correlation values were positively significant between fat and Zn (r = 0.56), dry matter and Fe (r = 0.58). High significant correlations were also found between crude protein and fat (r = 0.40), dry matter and fiber (r = 0.48) and ash and carbohydrates (r = 0.47). Key words: Composition, minerals, medicinal plants.