Proximate, mineral and chemical composition of different parts of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.)

Abstract

Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) is a medicinally important plant which belongs to the family Asteraceae. The present study was undertaken to investigate the proximate, mineral and chemical composition of different parts viz. seeds, aerial parts and roots of C. intybus cultivated in Hisar region. Results revealed that all parts of C. intybus are good source of crude fibre, crude protein, fat and carbohydrate. On the basis of calorific value, all parts of C. intybus were found to be very rich source of energy. Seeds, aerial parts and roots of Chicory contained significant amount of minerals viz. Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn. Different parts of Chicory were also found to contain ascorbic acid, starch, tannins, total sugars, reducing sugars and non-reducing sugars in varying amounts.