THE MINERAL AND TRACE-ELEMENT COMPOSITION OF VEGETABLES, PULSES AND CEREALS OF SOUTHERN INDIA

Some cereals, pulses and vegetables commonly used in vegetarian diets in southern India were analysed for their content of minerals and trace elements. The contents of zinc, iron, manganese and potassium were higher in wheat than in rice and different pulses. Wheat, rice and pulses contained higher concentrations of zinc, copper, magnesium, selenium, calcium and iron than did vegetables. The concentrations of lead, cadmium and mercury were higher in wheat and rice than in pulses; among the vegetables amaranth leaves had much higher concentrations of these elements. Compared to other vegetables (raw plantain, brinjal, amaranth leaves), lady's finger contained higher concentrations of zinc, copper, magnesium, calcium and selenium. The estimates of daily intake of zinc and calcium seemed to be inadequate while those of copper, magnesium, selenium, manganese and iron were apparently sufficient; estimates of lead and mercury were below the tolerable daily intake level but that of cadmium was above.