Chemical composition of South African Plectranthus esculentus tubers.

PLECTRANTHUS ESCULENTUS IS AN INDIGEnous African plant, belonging to the Lamiaceae family, that produces edible tubers. The species is widespread throughout Africa and is used as a potato substitute, being eaten raw, boiled, or cooked as a vegetable. Chemical analysis of the raw tubers gave crude protein, crude lipid and crude carbohydrate values of 13.5, 0.6 and 81.4 g per 100 g, respectively. The tubers contained 140.3, 50.4 and 0.17 mg per 100 g of Ca, Fe and vitamin A, respectively, indicating that the tubers can be a potential source of elements and compounds which are often deficient in the diet of rural South Africans. The levels of seven of the eight essential amino acids are higher than the FAO recommended values, with isoleucine being slightly lower. These concentrations are higher than those of other root and tuber crops such as the Irish potato, sweet potato, taro and cassava, and indicate that this vegetable as a food item can assist in alleviating malnutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]