Evaluation of Allium species for elemental composition in Western Himalayan region

Abstract

The screening of elemental composition was carried out in five under explored Allium species namely Allium auriculatum Kunth, Allium ampeloprasum L., Allium ascalonicum, Allium rubellum M., Bieb. and Allium tuberosum L., which are distributed in temperate and alpine regions of Western Himalaya. The edible part i.e. leaves and bulbs of these species were analyzed separately for few minerals like sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, sulphur, copper, zinc, iron, manganese and cobalt. Among these Allium species, maximum concentration of phosphorus, and sodium were found in the leaves of A. ampeloprasum. The leaves of A. ascalonicum were rich in calcium and manganese. Highest sulphur content was present in the leaves of A. auriculatum while, in its bulbs, maximum zinc was reported . Iron and copper were observed high in the bulbs of A. rubellum. This study showed that the leaves of A. ampeloprasum were rich source of minerals followed by A. rubellum bulbs and A. ascalonicum. The quantitative yield of A. ampeloprasum, Allium rubellum and A. ascalonicum were also found better than other species. Owing to important functional properties and their role in nutrition the Allium species can be exploited for commercial cultivation in Western Himalayan region.