Proximate Composition and Carotene Content of Three Cultivars of XanthosomaSagittifolium

Abstract

Three cultivars of Xanthosomasagittifolium; White (XCw)-, Red (XCr)-, and Yellow (XCy) fleshed were studied for their proximate composition and carotene content. The proximate composition showed that the moisture content was highest in XCr (12.50%) followed next by XCy (11.25%) and 10.00% in XCw. Fat content was 0.55% in both XCy and XCr but 0.25% in XCw. Crude protein composition was 4.21% in XCw 5.10% in XCr and 3.71% in XCy, showing that the red cultivar in higher in protein content. Carbohydrate content was high in all three cultivars - XCw (79.49%), XCy (79.14%) and XCr (76.75%). β-Carotene content of 1920µg/100gm 16µg/100g and 8µ/100g was obtained from XCy, XCr and XCw respectively and the vitamin A equivalent of 3200i.u, 26.67i.u and 13.33i.u from XCy, XCr and XCw respectively. Thus, result indicated that the colour pigments in these cultivars were mainly- carotene. Since the yellow-fleshed cultivar is rich in carotene leading to good source of vitamin A, it means that the yellow cultivar can support good nutrition as far as energy and vitamin A is concerned. Keyword:Proximate composition, carotene content, XanthosomaSagittifolium