Abstract
The uniqueness of purslane (Portulaca spp.) asthe richest vegetable source of omega-3 (ω-3)fatty acids is well documented. However, purslane hasnot been domesticated or fully evaluated for itsnutritive value. The objective of this study was todetermine the influence of planting date on chemicalcomposition of purslane accessions. Eight accessionsfrom different geographical locations were planted 12days apart, and whole plants harvested at full bloom. Chemical analysis (DM basis) of leaves showedsignificant differences among varieties for all thecharacteristics measured. Accession by planting dateinteraction influenced (p < 0.05) levels of crudeprotein, total lipids, and carbohydrate contents. Wild Greek accession had the highest, while aBeltsville (Maryland) wild type had the lowest crudeprotein content (27.1 vs 20.5%) at the secondplanting date. Crude protein, lipid and ash levelswere most influenced (p < 0.05) by planting date. Total lipids varied from 4.0–5.8% and 3.7–5.1% forthe first and second planting dates, respectively. Selected fatty acid content indicated significantly(p < 0.05) higher levels of 18: 2ω6, and18: 3ω3 in the Dutch Garden accession comparedwith other varieties. The Egyptian wild accession hadthe lowest level of 18: 3ω3. The ratio of ω3 to ω6 acids, which ranged from 5.5 to22.3 indicated a highnutritive value of purslane compared to other oilcrops such as soybeans and perrilla. The high levelsof protein in purslane compete with those of othercommercially important vegetable crops. The studyshows that, in spite of its genetic diversity, purslaneremains one of the most abundant terrestrial vegetablesources of Omega-3 fatty acids and other essentialnutrients potentially beneficial for humans as well asanimals.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
AOAC (1990) Official Methods of Analysis. Arlington, VA: AOAC.
Cave WT Jr (1991) Dietary n-3 (!-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids effects on animal tumorigenesis. FASEB J 5: 2160.
Chan JA, McDonald BE, Gerald JM, Bruce VM, Weaver BJ, Holub BJ (1993) Effect of dietary_-linolenic acid and its ratio to linolenic acid on platelet and plasma fatty acids and thrombogenesis. Lipids 28: 811–817.
Dahmer ML, Fleming PD, Collins GB, Hildebrand DF (1989) A rapid screening technique for determining the lipid composition of soybean seeds. J Am Oil Chem Soc 66: 543–548.
Dalziel JM (1937) Useful plants of west tropical Africa, London: Crown Agents for Overseas Governments and Administration (pp 31–32).
Ezekwe MO, Omara-Alwala TR, Mebrahtu T (1994) The influence of planting date on nutritive quality of purslane accessions. FASEB J 8: 923A.
FAO (1977) Joint FAO/WHO expert consultation on the role of dietary fats and oils in human nutrition. The FAO Technical Papers. Rome, Italy: FAO.
Garcia-Diez F, Garcia-Mediavilla V, Bayon JE (1995) Pectin feeding influences fecal bile excretion: Hepatic bile acid and cholesterol synthesis and serum cholesterol in rats.J Nutr 126: 1766–1771.
Institution National de Nutrition de Centro America of Panama. INACP-ICNND. Tabla de Composicion de Alimentos para uso en America Latina. Analisis No 274.
Kabulov D, Tashbekov TI (1979) Purslane. Kaftofel'i Ovoschi 8: 45–46.
Kesden D, Will Jr AA (1987) Purslane: A ubiquitous garden wild with nutritional potential. Proc Fla Hort Soc 100: 195–197.
Leaf A, Weber PC (1987) A new era for science in nutrition. Am J Clin Nutr 45 (suppl): 1048–1049.
Mangalan S, Daniel M, Sabnis SD (1989) Nutritional and phytochemical aspects of some vegetables of centrospermae. J Econ Tax Bot 13: 227–230.
Maxwell RJ, Marmer WN, Zubillage MP, Dalickas GA (1980) Determination of total fat in meat and meat products by a rapid, dry column method. J Am Oil Chem Soc 63: 600–603.
Miller TE, Wing JS, Huete AR (1984) The agricultural potential of selected C4 plants in arid environments. J Arid Environ 7: 275–286.
Mohamed AI, Hussein A (1994) Chemical composition of purslane (Portulaca oleracea).Plant Foods Human Nutr 45: 1–9.
NRC (1988) Nutrient Requirements of Swine 9th Lab. Washington, DC: National Research Council.
Omara-Alwala TR, Mebrahtu T, Prior DE, Ezekwe MO (1991) Omega-3 fatty acids in purslane (Portulaca oleracea) tissues. J Am Oil Chem Soc 68: 198–199.
Parry O, Okwuasaba F, Ejike C (1987) Preliminary clinical investigations into the muscle relaxant actions of an aqueous extract of Portulaca oleracea applied topically.J Ethnopharmacol 21: 99–106.
SAS (1989) Statistical User Guide. SAS Institute, Inc. Cary, NC.
Simopoulos AP, Salem Jr N (1986) A terrestrial source of Omega-3 fatty acids. New England J Med 315 (13): 833 (letter).
Simopoulos AP (1987) Horticulture and human health. In Quebedeaux B, Bliss F (eds) Contribution of fruits and vegetables. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Simopoulos AP (1991) Omega-3 fatty acids in health and disease and in growth and development. Am J Clin Nutr 54: 438–463.
Simopoulos AP, Norman HA, Gillaspy JE, Duke JA (1992) Common purslane: A source of Omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. J Am Coll Nut 11: 374–382.
Uscian JM, Miller JS, Howard RW, Stanley-Samuelson DW (1992) Aracadonic an eicosapentaenoic acids in tissue lipids of two species of predacious insects (Cicindela Circumppicta, Asilis Spp) Comp. Biochem physiol 103: 833–838.
Wenzel GE, Fontana JD, Correa JBC (1990) The viscous micilage from the weed Portulaca oleracea L. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 24/25: 341–353.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ezekwe, M.O., Omara-Alwala, T.R. & Membrahtu, T. Nutritive characterization of purslane accessions as influenced by planting date. Plant Foods Hum Nutr 54, 183–191 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008101620382
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008101620382