Comparison of Chemical Analysis of Asparagus Officinalis and Chlorophytum Comocum; Iranian Plant Foods

Proximate composition and mineral constituents of Asparagus officinalis stem and Chlorophytum comocum root tubers were evaluated for chemical composition. The stem contained total ash (10.70%),crude protein: (32.69%), crude fat (3.44%), crude fiber: (18.50%), and carbohydrates, (34.67%). Stem also had high energy value (384.27kcal/100g dry weight), and on mg/100g drywt basis K (10.94), Na (1.84), Ca (0.67), Fe (0.19), and Zn (2.60). The root tubers contained mineral matter (10.38%),crude protein: (4.54%), crude fat (2.00%), crude fiber: (17.24%), and carbohydrates: 65.84%. The leaves and stem also had high energy content (299.52kcal/100g). Comparing proximate nutrients and minerals of the stem and fruit, the results indicated that Asparagus officinalis stem could be a good supplement for some nutrients such as protein, potassium, and carbohydrates. The stem could be exploited as a carbohydrate supplement for cereal-based diets in poor rural communities, while Chlorophytum comocum root could be a good supplement for some nutrients such as calcium, fibre and carbohydrates.