Objective: The present study was aimed to investigate the mineral composition of Hardwickia binata Roxb.
Methods: Shade-dried powdered leaves, seed, and husk of H. binata were used for mineral analysis. Mineral analysis was carried out by acid digestion method. Potassium, calcium, and sodium were determined using a flame photometer (Thermofisher-FP114), whereas magnesium, zinc, iron, manganese, and copper were estimated using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Thermofisher-AA203). Remaining elements namely phosphorus, sulfur, and boron were estimated by ultraviolet spectrophotometer and nitrogen by Kjeldahl’s apparatus.
Results: The total number of 13 mineral elements was found in H. binata. In case of values obtained from macroelements, magnesium content was found highest in leaves (51.05%), followed by husk (20.59%) and in seed (10.70%), whereas nitrate content was found lowest in seed (172.33 ppm), followed by leaves (158.17 ppm) and in husk (83.73 ppm). In case of microelements, iron was found maximum in husk (1246.48 ppm), followed by leaves (712.63 ppm) and in seed (157.39 ppm), whereas copper was found minimum in husk (5.73 ppm), followed by seed (4.92 ppm) and in leaves (4.68 ppm).
Conclusion: The present investigation of H. binata revealed promising source of magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc. These elements may serve as nutritional supplement and could be beneficial to the human health as well as livestock to treat against deficiency disorders.