Analysis of the Proximate Composition and Energy Values of Two Varieties of Onion (Allium Cepa L.) Bulbs of Different Origin: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Due to its significant medicinal property, nutritional worth and energy value, onions (Allium cepa L.) impart numerous health benefits to users. The comparative study was conducted to investigate the proximate composition, mineral composition and energy value of red onions of Bangladeshi and Indian origin. Results of studied onion varieties showed that, both Bangladeshi and Indian onions have high amount of Moisture (82.99 % and 82.77 %), Carbohydrate (14.146 % and 14.772 %), Total Sugar (4.74 % and 2.32 %), Vitamin-C (6.5 mg and 5.7 mg), Ca (46.9 mg and 25.7 mg), P (50.6 mg and 30.3 mg) and K (140 mg and 129 mg) respectively. The level of Protein (2.62 % and 1.489 %), Fat (0.4 % and 0.721 %), Fe (0.6 mg and 0.24 mg), Cu (0.04 mg and 0.1 mg), Mn (0.2 mg and 0.14 mg) and Zn (0.2 mg and 0.4 mg) are comparatively lower in the varieties. Presence of Protein, Fiber, Sugar, Vitamin-C, Ca, P, Na, K, Fe are considerably higher in Bangladeshi onions than the onions of Indian origin. In contrast, Indian onion has higher amount of fat and Zn. The levels of Carbohydrate, Silica and Ash content are almost identical in both varieties. The result obtained confirmed the usefulness and utility of onion bulbs of both varieties. The result also suggests that Bangladeshi onion having adequate quantity of vitamins and minerals with potentials to meet the nutritional requirements of human health is better than the onion of Indian origin.