Comparative nutritional and phytochemical analyses of two varieties of Solanum melongena

fruits of round and oval shape varieties of Solanum melongena showed high moisture content of 78. 44 b 0.49 % and 72.93 b 0.76 % respectively. Lower carbohydrate and lipid contents of 11.77 b 1.55 % and 1.65 b 0.62 % respectively were found in the round variety than the oval variety. The levels of protein, fibre, calcium, iron and potassium were higher in the round variety than the oval variety. Higher level of magnesium, phosphorus and sodium was found in the oval variety than the round variety but the level of zinc was the same in both varieties (0.25 ó0.001%). The quantitative phytochemical analysis revealed that phytate and oxalate, although not high but were higher in the round variety than in the oval variety. Similarly, alkaloid, and tannin were higher in the round variety, while saponin was higher in the oval variety. These results suggest that these fruits especially the round variety, possess nutritional and health benefits for diabetic patients, individuals that are watching their weight and those with ischemic heart diseases.