Nutritive Value of BJRI Mesta-2 (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) Leaves

Abstract

The genus Hibiscus has more than 300 globally distributed species. This plant is well known for its bast fiber biogenesis, while its nutritional and medicinal values are largely ignored. Consequently, the nutritional properties of the Roselle variety, BJRI mesta-2, are unknown. Therefore, this study was carried out to analyze the nutritional composition of our selected Roselle tissues to support the nutritional requirements for humans in early summer in Bangladesh. Leaves were found to be a good source of calcium (2.7%), magnesium (1.6%), ash (7.34%), vitamin A (165.9%), and vitamin C (94.88%), whereas calyx was the potential source of potassium (1.9%), iron (422%), manganese (126%), and moisture (87.45%). Roselle seeds also have edible oil-producing capabilities, along with their nutritional properties. Our results indicate that BJRI mesta-2 can be an additional source of leafy vegetables, along with its herbal tea and edible oil contents.