Analysis of Chlorophyll and Β-Carotene Content of Winter Vegetables

As a primary pigment of leafy green vegetables, chlorophyll plays a major role in indicating vegetable growth status. Carotenoids are natural fat-soluble pigments that are common in colorful plants. They act as provitamin A and are beneficial for human health, especially for vision. An experiment was conducted to determine the chlorophyll and β-carotene content of winter vegetables. The chlorophyll and β-carotene content of fresh vegetables was determined using the spectrophotometer method. Chlorophyll b content in winter vegetables ranged from 0.07 mg/100 g in beetroot to 29.76 in roselle fruit. It was found that radish leaf (54.91±0.795 mg/100 g) is very rich in total chlorophyll followed by spinach (54.28 mg/100 g), goosefoot (49.97 mg/100 g), roselle leaf (40.38 mg/100 g), and roselle fruit (34.04 mg/100 g) among the studied winter vegetables. The β-carotene content in winter vegetables ranged from 3.07 μg/100 g in beetroot to 1060.13 μg/100 g in radish leaf. This study has shown that radish leaf (1060.13 μg/100 g) is very rich in β-carotene followed by goat weed (964.84 μg/100 g), spinach (887.44 μg/100 g), carrot (630.98 μg/100 g), and goosefoot (563.21 μg/100 g). Cluster II included spinach, radish leaf, and goat weed with high chlorophyll and β-carotene content of winter vegetables. Euclidean distance between cabbage and sorrel was the lowest (16.09) while the largest distance was observed between beetroot and radish leaf (1059.18). A highly significant positive correlation was observed between β-carotene and chlorophylls. Radish leaf, spinach, goosefoot, roselle leaf, and roselle fruit were observed to have a high total chlorophyll content as well as radish leaf, goat weed, spinach, carrot, and goosefoot were observed to have high β-carotene content among the studied winter vegetables. They should be regularly included in the diet for the adequate supply of chlorophyll and β-carotene in the winter season for the protection of our health from diseases.