Proximate and Elemental Composition of Dill (Anethum Sowa L.) Flower

The proximate and elemental compositions of dill (Anethum sowa L.) flower were analysed at three places in Bangladesh. Dill flower contained moisture (78.39 ± 1.80), protein (24.06 ± 0.20), crude fibre (18.0 ± 0.58), ash (2.94 ± 0.16), carbohydrate (33.58 ± 0.99) and fatty acid (17.37 ±1.11). The elemental contents of Dill flowers were analysed by WDXRF spectrometer. Among them the highest composition (mg/100 g fresh weight) was of Ca (613.973 ± 2.5 - 816.116 ± 4.13) and K (88.63 ± 0.95 - 495.57 ± 1.43). Other predominant elements were: S (96.59 ± 0.98 - 212.514 ± 2.06), P(110.332 ± 1.48–161.74 ± 2.22), Mg(55.846 ± 1.90 -106.84 ± 2.34), Cl (25.275 ± 0.59 - 55.19 ± 1.28), Al (12.467 ± 0.74 - 23.97 ± 1.25), Fe (12.12 ±; 0.61 - 21.94 ± 1.37), Na (5.90 ± 0.59 -10.24 ± 0.74) and Mn (1.35 ± 0.00 - 5.016 ± 0.29). Rb and Sr were present in small while Ti, Ba, Ni, Cu, Zn, Zr and Y were present in trace amounts. The nutrient and elemental composition suggest that Dill flower may be considered as a source of food and herbal medicine ingredient.