Abstract
Purslane (Portulaca oleracea), grown under greenhouse conditions, was harvested at three growth stages and analyzed for total solids, total protein, ash, soluble carbohydrate, and fructose/fructane in whole plants, leaves, stems, and roots. Significant increases were observed in total solids and protein during plant maturation. Leaves had the highest amount of protein in the third growth stage (44.25g/100g dry matter). Roots showed a decline in protein level as the plant aged. Soluble carbohydrate was significantly higher in growth states 1 and 3. Significant variation among growth stages was found with regard to total phosphorous, calcium, potassium, iron, managanese, and copper. Total phosphorus (P) content in leaves was significantly higher than P found in stems and roots. Iron (Fe) content varied significantly among growth stages, and roots and leaves had the highest Fe content (121.47 and 33.21 mg, respectively). Significant accumulation of managanese (Mn) was found in different growth stages. Leaves and roots had significantly higher Mn content than stems.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.
References
AOAC (1984) Official Method of Analysis, 14 ed. Arlington, VA: Association of Official Analytical Chemists.
Hach CC, Brayton SV, Kapenlone AB (1985) A powerful Kjeldahl Nitrogen method using peroxymonosulphuric acid. J Agric Food Chem 33(6): 1117–1123.
Hafez YS, Mohamed AI, Perera PA, Singh G, Hussein AS (1989) Effects of microwave heating and gamma irradiation on phytate and phospholipids contents of soybean (Glycine max L.). J Food Sci 54 (4): 958–962.
Herklots GAC (1972) Purslane: Vegetable in Southeast Asia. South China Morning Post. Ltd., Hong Kong.
Horan MJ, Blaustein MP, Dunbar JB, Grundy S, Kachordurian W, Kaplan NM, Kotchen TA, Simopoulos AP, Van Itallie TB (1985) NIH report on research challenges in nutrition and hypertension. Hypertension 7(5): 818–820.
Johnson G, Lambert C, Johnson DK, Sunderwirth SG (1964) Colorimeter determination of glucose, fructose and Sucrose in plant material, using a combination of enzymatic and chemical methods. J Agric Food Chem 12: 216–219.
Kesden D, Will Jr AA (1987) Purslane: An ubiquitous garden weed with nutritional potential. Proc Fla State Hort Soc 100: 195–197.
Omara-Alwala TR, Mebrahtu T, Prior DE, Ezekwe MO (1991) Omega three fatty acids in purslane (Portulaca oleracea) tissues. J Am Oil Chem Soc 68: 198–199.
Simopoulos AP (1987) Terrestrial sources of omega-three Fatty acids: Purslane. p. 93–107. In: Horticulture and human health: Contribution of fruits and vegetables, ed. B. Quebedeaus and F. Bliss, Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall.
Simopoulos AP, Salem N (1986) Cholesterol in foods rich in omega-three fatty acids. N Engl J Med 315–833.
Simopoulos AP (1991) Omega-3 fatty acids in health and disease and in growth and development. Am J Clin Nutr 54: 438–463.
Snedecor GW, Cochran WG (1980) Statistical Methods. 7 ed. Ames Iowa: Iowa State Univ. Press.
Sotera JJ, Stux RI (1979) Standard conditions for flame operation, Atomic absorption methods manual, vol. 1. Instrumentation Laboratory Inc., Analytical Instrument Division, Wilmington, Mass.
Tapia I, Rita J (1983) Biomass and protein production ofPortulaca oleracea L. Photosynthesis and plant productivity. Stuttgart: Wissenschaftliche Verlagesellschaft, pp. 89–92.
Vengris J, Dunn S, Stacewictz-Sapuncakis M (1972) Life history studies as related to weed control in the Northeast. 7. Common purslane. Research Bulletin, #598. Amherst: The University of Massachusetts, Agricultural Experimental Station.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mohamed, A.I., Hussein, A.S. Chemical composition of purslane (Portulaca oleracea). Plant Food Hum Nutr 45, 1–9 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01091224
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01091224