Chekkurmanis: Multi-mineral packed leafy vegetable

Abstract

Chekkurmanis (Sauropus androgynous Meer) is an underutilised perennial green leafy vegetable and it belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae. It contains high amount of multivitamins and proteins. It is considered as ‘multi-vitamin green’ and ‘multi mineral packed leafy vegetable’ due to being rich in high quantities of ’ macro and micro phyto-nutrients viz., proteins (6-8%), vitamin A, vitamin B and C, nicotinic acid, mineral, phosphorous and iron. It can help to alleviate malnutrition and is greatly contributing to nutritional food security. Climate change and population growth are hindering food and nutritional security efforts. As a result, the consumption of this green leafy vegetable should increase in our daily food habit.