Yusuf Ismail Koleleni
Physics Department, Muslim University of Morogoro, P.O. Box 1031, Morogoro, Tanzania.
In this post, we present a brief overview of our recently published book chapter titled “Geographical Variation in Mineral Composition of Tanzanian Ginger Roots Analysed by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy”
The calcium content in ginger roots ranged from 1389.19 mg/kg in Morogoro to 1511.10 mg/kg in Kagera, indicating relatively consistent calcium levels across the different geographic locations, the phosphorus content varied from 187.67 mg/kg in Iringa to 198.33 mg/kg in Kagera, showing a moderate range of phosphorus levels, potassium content ranged from 150.56 mg/kg in Iringa to 169.99 mg/kg in Kagera, demonstrating a relatively narrow range of potassium levels. Iron content varied from 73.23 mg/kg in Mbeya to 84.12 mg/kg in Iringa, indicating a moderately wide range of iron levels. Sodium content ranged from 450.87 mg/kg in Kagera to 481.03 mg/kg in Tanga, showing a relatively consistent sodium level across the locations and Magnesium content varied from 1723.15 mg/kg in Mbeya to 1825.09 mg/kg in Kagera, demonstrating a relatively narrow range of magnesium levels.
Ginger root (Zingiber officinale Rose) was analysed to identify its nutritional and anti-nutritional contents. The results showed that Ginger has 34.13% crude protein, 4.07% Ether Extract, 4.02% crude fibre content, 13.75% moisture content, 7.64% Ash content and 1.036% vitamin C. Furthermore, ginger contains major minerals like: Zn 64.0 mg/l, Mn 5.90 mg/l, Fe 279.7 mg/l, Cu 8.80 mg/l, Ca 280.0 mg/l and P 8068.0 mg/l. The result obtained confirmed the usefulness of ginger root as a potential functional food and could be explored further in new products and formulations.
Results related to mineral analysis were verified by findings of Shirin and Prakash. They concluded that ginger is an amusing source of Phosphorus (174 mg/100 g) followed by Calcium (88.4), Manganese (9.13), Iron (8.0) and trace amounts of Zinc, Chromium and Copper. Iron is essential for blood formation owing to it being a major constituent of haemoglobin, while zinc is required for fertility, insulin function as well as mental and body growth. Minerals, especially calcium and potassium, are required in the human body in large amounts. Their deficiency results in arthritis, bone and tooth-related disorders. Similarly, Famurewa et al. stated that fresh ginger contains mineral contents as Ca 110 mg/100 g, followed by Mg 60 mg/100 g and K 24.91 mg/100 g, while iron and zinc are also present in traces. They also informed that on drying of ginger, the mineral content gradually increases. Moreover, results gained by Latona et al. indicated that the mineral content of ginger is 8068 mg/100 g, 280, 279, 64, 8.80 and 5.90 for phosphorus, calcium, iron, zinc, copper and manganese, respectively.
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