title: Jatropha curcas leaves analysis, reveals it as mineral source for low sodium diets.
abstract: Jatropha curcas is a perennial herb, belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae, found in countries such as India, Mexico and Venezuela. In the present study, proximate composition and mineral content on the leaves of J. curcas was analysed and compared to spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) using a ICP-AES. The bromatologic test (dry material) results for ashes, proteins, lipids and carbohydrates revealed 23.4%, 28.0%, 3.2% and 45.4% for J. curcas; whereas for S. oleracea values were 28.9%, 20.8%, 0.5% and 49.9%. Furthermore, minerals found in both species ashes were: calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron and phosphorus, resulting that leaves of J. curcas are composed by three times the iron and calcium amount comparing to spinach; while sodium was absent from the former species. In this study Cu and Zn were found only in spinach, while Pb and As were not detected in any of the studied species. These results indicate that J. curcas leaves might be considered as mineral source suitable for animal and human consumption, especially for people who requires a low sodium diet.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory "C" of Natural Products, Research Institute, Faculty of Pharmacy and Bioanalysis, University of Los Andes, Mérida, Venezuela.
authors.forename: Lucero
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Méndez
authors.affiliation: Laboratory "C" of Natural Products, Research Institute, Faculty of Pharmacy and Bioanalysis, University of Los Andes, Mérida, Venezuela. Electronic address: janner@ula.ve.
authors.forename: Janne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rojas
authors.affiliation: Science Laboratory, Engineering and Food Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Los Andes, Mérida, Venezuela.
authors.forename: César
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Izaguirre
authors.affiliation: Laboratory "C" of Natural Products, Research Institute, Faculty of Pharmacy and Bioanalysis, University of Los Andes, Mérida, Venezuela.
authors.forename: Billmary
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Contreras
authors.affiliation: Science Laboratory, Engineering and Food Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Los Andes, Mérida, Venezuela.
authors.forename: Rubén
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gómez
mesh_terms: D001151:Arsenic / Q000032:analysis; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis; D004039:Diet, Sodium-Restricted; D006973:Hypertension / Q000517:prevention & control; D007501:Iron / Q000032:analysis; D031286:Jatropha / Q000737:chemistry*; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis; D008274:Magnesium / Q000032:analysis; D008903:Minerals; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D011188:Potassium / Q000032:analysis; D012964:Sodium / Q000032:analysis*; D018724:Spinacia oleracea / Q000737:chemistry; D015032:Zinc / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D008903:Minerals; D010758:Phosphorus; D007854:Lead; D003300:Copper; D012964:Sodium; D007501:Iron; D008274:Magnesium; D015032:Zinc; D001151:Arsenic; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium
keywords: High blood pressure; ICP-AES; Jatropha curcas; Leaves; Minerals; Proximal analysis