NUTRITIONAL EVALUATION OF ASIATIC MANGROVE RHIZOPHORA MUCRONATA - ITS PROXIMATE COMPOSITION, AMINO ACID PROFILES AND PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

The present study explores the nutritional properties of R. mucronata leaves, an edible red mangrove which has been proven as an antidiabetic and as an alternative source of tea leaves and animal feed. Proximate composition, amino acid profiles and physico-chemical properties were analyzed to evaluate the nutritional property. Nutritional evaluation of R. mucronata illustrates it as a rich source of essential aminoacids and unsaturated fatty acid (alpha linoleic and linoleic acid). Total dietary fiber content, protein, ash, carbohydrate and lipid content was found to be 11.9 +/- 0.2, 2.445 +/- 0.179, 13.5 +/- 0.0021, 79.277 +/- 0.079 and 0.749 +/- 0.049 % DW respectively. Mineral and vitamin analysis per 100 g (DW) showed the presence of sodium (80.804 +/- 4.0 g), calcium (22.32 +/- 1.1g), potassium (7.96 +/- 3.9 g), iron (53.6 +/- 0.5mg), magnesium (38.15 +/- 0.38 mg) and Vitamin A (2.2 +/- 0.02 mg), Vitamin C (3.23 +/- 2.3g), Vitamin E (1.180 +/- 1.8 g), vitamin B1 and B2 (18.04 +/- 0.1 and 0.89 +/- 0.08 mg). Swelling, water-holding and oil-holding capacity showed strong positive correlation with their total fiber and protein content. Hence, the leaves of R. mucronata could be used as a supplement for complementing nutritional deficits prevailing in developing countries