Food analytical evaluation of fruits and vegetables-based diets in relation to human carbohydrates

Ali Aberoumand¹* and S. S. Deokule²

¹Food Science and Technology, Behbahan University, Behbahan, kuzestan, Iran.

²Department of Botany, University of Pune, Pune, India, 4111007.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: Aberoumand38@yahoo.com.

Accepted 7 October, 2009

   Abstract

Carbohydrates are the major nutrients of fruits and vegetables in human nutrition. Sucrose is one of the important parameters for the assessment of the commercial quality of the fruit, since consumers prefer the sweetest fruits. Results showed that fructose, glucose, sucrose contents were high in Cordia myxa (9.38, 12.75 and 29.09%) respectively and the starch content was high in Alocacia indica (60.41%). Alocacia has high calorie and nutritional value because it contains high carbohydrates contents (72.66%) and Cordia was the sweetest fruits because it contains the maximum amounts of sucrose, glucose and fructose. The TDF content was low in Portulaca oleracia (dried) (8 g %) and was high in Cordia myxa (27.7 g %). It is observed that vegetables of Portulaca, Asparagus, Momordica and Eulophia can be recommended in plant -based diets in Iran and India. 

Key words: Fiber, carbohydrates, nutritional values, edible plants.