Nutritional Value and Elemental Analysis of Cynomorium coccineum L. Grown in Libya

Abstract

The present study aims to determine the nutritional value of the powdered stems of Cynomorium coccineum L. grown in Libya, using standard analytical methods. The proximate analysis revealed the crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre, ash, moisture and carbohydrate content were 9.633 ± 0.205 %, 1.656 ± 0.004 %, 3.073 ± 0.12 %, 5.276 ± 0.016 %, 10.513 ± 0.026 % and 69.849 ± 0.074 %, respectively. The computed energy value was 332.834 ± 1.152 Kcal/g. The analysis of mineral elements showed that the plant stem contains high levels of calcium, sodium and potassium 19940 53 g/g, 2273 20 g/gand13840 g/g, respectively, and low levels of manganese, iron, copper, zinc and cobalt at 156 g/g, 124 g/g, 112 2.8 g/g, 54 g/g and 20 g/g respectively. The findings of the present study indicate that the plant's stem contains an appreciable amount of nutrients and mineral elements, and further supports its potential use in nutraceutical formulations.