Mineral Composition of Wild Onions and Their Nutritional Value

Leaf accumulation of 11 microelements (Fe, Zn, Cu, Co, Mn, Ni, Pb, Cd, Sr, Cr, and Se) was studied in seven wild onion species of the genus Allium. A. flavescens Bess. accumulates five microelements (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Se) and also contains Fe, Co, and Mn at high concentrations. These features underlie the significant promise of this species as a means of procurement (nutritional adjustment of the content) of these microelements. The content of Cr in 100 g of leaves of this species is equivalent to 84% of the daily human need for this microelement. A. fistulosum L., A. odorum L., and the broad-leaved form of A. nutans specifically accumulate Cu, Zn, and Se. A. montanum Schmidt. is characterized by the accumulation of Zn. A. angulosum L. and A. schoenoprasum L. are characterized by the accumulation of Se. The broad-leaved forms of A. schoenoprasum L., A. nutans L., and A. odorum L. accumulate higher amounts of Zn and Cu than their narrow-leaved counterparts.