Mineral Contents of (Allium cepa) Red and White Onions Grown around Gashu’a Fadama Area

Abstract

Onion bulbs (Allium cepa) have found wide applications either fresh or powdery dry in virtually all meals in this part of Nigeria. Others reported significant findings on its medicinal values. This work aims at estimating the concentrations of mineral nutrients present in onion bulbs. Standard procedures were used for the analysis. Mineral elements were determined using flame photometer and atomic absorption spectrophotometers. Mineral nutrients assessed includes: Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus and others. The study revealed the following nutrients: Zn < P < Fe < Na < Ca < Mg < K in an increasing order of presence. Comparison of cultivars indicates red onion bulb is superior in K, Fe, Mg, Zn and P contents while white onion bulb has higher contents of Na and Ca. The ash and moisture contents are in the range of 0.825±0.06--1.06±0.02%, and 82.11±0.16-- 83.10±0.40% for red and white onion bulbs respectively. Concentrations of calcium in onion bulbs are higher than phosphorus. Allium cepa species with a Ca/P ratio ˃ 10.01 is a good source of calcium and phosphorus. Mineral profile of onion bulbs obtained is a good data on Allium cepa species. The result suggests that, Onion bulbs of both cultivars are rich in minerals that are essential for healthy growth.