A Detailed Comparative Study and Assessment of Chemical Compound of Some Edible Plants of the Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey

This study was conducted to determine the mineral contents and some nutritional properties of five wild edible plants ( Malva neglecta Wallr., Urtica urens L., Rumex crispus L., Rumex scutatus L., and Chenopodium album L.) growing in the grasslands of Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey and are consumed as vegetable. Moisture (%), total ash (%), pH, and ascorbic acid (mg/100 g) content of the plants ranged from 74.8 to 88.38%, 8.72 to 15.75%, 5.50 to 6.93, 42.68 to 146.40 mg/100 g, respectively. Mineral analysis showed that the wild plants contained considerably high amounts of sodium (21.82-60.93 mg/100 g), magnesium (60.41-77.63 mg/100 g), potassium (557.53-1025.80 mg/100 g), calcium (154.75-340.30 mg/100 g), phosphorus (41-93 mg/100 g), manganese (0.44-1.18 mg/100 g), iron (12.62-53.20 mg/100 g), cupper (0.28-0.67 mg/100 g), zinc (0.40-1.44 mg/100 g). The present study has revealed that these wild plants could contribute significantly to the dietary requirements of the people the Eastern Anatolia region. These plants can use for enrichment of diets with low mineral content. Their consumption could help in alleviating the problem of malnutrition at negligible cost; therefore, their cultivation and utilization should be encouraged. Further study is needed to determine how best to exploit its food value promote human health.