Investigation of Mineral Constituents of Apium graveolens L available in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-Pakistan

Abstract

Apium graveolens L, member of the family Umbelliferae, is an unadventurous vegetable which is known to be beneficial in the treatment of a number of diseases. Samples of Apium graveolens L were obtained in the month of May-July, 2013, from its natural habitat as wild species and seeds (Celery) of the same were collected from three different markets of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan i.e. Peshawar, Swat and DI Khan. In this work, the wild plant as well as the market celery was investigated for proximate composition, elemental analysis, phytochemical screening, essential oils and vitamin – C. Analysis of the study revealed average 50% moisture in the aerial parts and seeds of the plant. It was found that the leaves of the subject plant contained the maximum level of vitamin ­­-C (60.35 mg 100-1 gm) while seeds were found to be containing the minimum level of vitamin- C (1.34 mg 100-1gm). Elemental analysis of the data suggested that highest amount of K (5100 µg g¯¹), P (4099 µg g¯¹), Ca (674 µg g¯¹), Ni (4.41 µg g¯¹), Cd (1.94 µg g¯¹) and Se (0.41 µg g¯¹) was observed in the roots of the plant where as minimum level of Fe (141.23 µg g¯¹), Mn (27.58 µg g¯¹), and Zn (12.32 µg g¯¹) was found in the leaves of the plant. The mean values of the data suggest that the maximum level of K was present in the roots of the plant (5100 µg g¯¹) followed by that of stem (2321 µg g¯¹) whereas minimum level was investigated in the leaves of the plant (1966 µg g¯¹). The knowledge of mineral constituents of this plant could be beneficial for medicinal use and pharmacological actions.