The Nutrient Composition of Fresh Fiddlehead Greens

Abstract

Fiddlehead greens of the ostrich fern, Matteuccia struthiopteris, var. Penn., from two separate locations were analyzed for their nutrlent composition. Greens contained (in %) 87 water, 1.12 fiber, 4.23 crude protein, 4.02 ash, 3.06 carbohydrate and 0.5 fat. The fatty acid composition consisted mostly of palmitate, linoleate and llnolenate. Unsaturated fatty acids account for approximately 65% of the fatty acids associated with fiddlehead lipids. Niacin, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin C, and vitamin A were present at concentration ranges (based on wet weight) of 4.07-5.57, 0.15-0.24, 0.018-0.024, 19.00-32.69 mg/lOOg greens and 2175-2709 I.U./lOOg, respectively. Spectrochemical analysis identified 17 minerals with potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and calcium being the most prominent. The low sodium content (0.5 mg/lOOg greens) should be noted. The high potassium to sodium ratio could make fiddlehead greens an integral part of the diet of persons requiring low intakes of sodium.

Evaluation of Nutrient and Anti-nutrient Contents of <i>Parkia biglobosa</i> (L.) Flower

“…The major function of carbohydrate is to provide the body with energy. The caloric value (384.7kcal/100g) is similar to 388.9kcal/100g reported for C. esculenta flower (Richard et al, 1996), but higher than 34 kcal/100g in broccoli flower (Bushway et al, 2006) and 111kcal/100g in M. indica flowers (Madhumita and Naik, 2010).…”

“…The potassium content (1766mg/100g) is high when compared to 325mg/100g in broccoli flower (Bushway et al, 2006). The levels of calcium, magnesium and sodium were 615.1, 196.2 and 139.2mg/100g, respectively and were higher than respective values of 8.9, 3.6 and 104mg/100g reported for C. esculenta flower (Richard et al, 1996).…”

Solid-phase extraction and HPLC determination of .beta.-cryptoxanthin and .alpha.- and .beta.-carotene in orange juice

“…The chromatographic isolation and identification of carotenoids are well represented in the literature (Nells and De Leenheer, 1983;Ritacco et al, 1984; Stewart and Wheaton, 1973; Calabro et al, 1978;Hsieh and Karel, 1983;Noga and Lenz, 1983;Will and Ruddat, 1984;Kamikura, 1961;Bushway and Wilson, 1982; Stancher and Zonta, 1982;Tsukida et al, 1982 and references therein). However, these procedures are not well suited for routine analysis often due to lengthy sample preparation procedures and the use of solvent gradients.…”

Effects of Storage Temperature, Humidity and Duration on Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris(L.) Todaro) Quality

“…The fiddleheads are a nutritious vegetable (Bushway et al, 1982(Bushway et al, , 1985 that are sold mainly in fresh or frozen form throughout Canada and the U.S. However, since all ostrich fern fiddleheads are harvested from wild stands, the availability of fiddleheads, currently estimated at between 250,000 and 500,000 kg annually, has never been sufficient to satisfy market demand.…”

“…THE OSTRICH FERN (Mutteuccia struthiopteris (L.) Todaro), which occurs across Canada and the northern U.S., produces young vegetative fronds or "fiddleheads" in the spring that have been a traditional part of the diet of the Malecite Indians of New Brunswick (von Aderkas, 1984;Prange and von Aderkas, 1985). The fiddleheads are a nutritious vegetable (Bushway et al, 1982(Bushway et al, , 1985 that are sold mainly in fresh or frozen form throughout Canada and the U.S. However, since all ostrich fern fiddleheads are harvested from wild stands, the availability of fiddleheads, currently estimated at between 250,000 and 500,000 kg annually, has never been sufficient to satisfy market demand.…”