Organic Versus Conventional – a Comparative Study on Quality and Nutritive Value of Selected Vegetable Crops of Southern India

Authors

  • JR Xavier Defence Food Research Laboratory, Defence Research and Development Organization, Siddharthanagar, Mysore- 570 011, India
  • V Mythri Defence Food Research Laboratory, Defence Research and Development Organization, Siddharthanagar, Mysore- 570 011, India
  • R Nagaraj Defence Food Research Laboratory, Defence Research and Development Organization, Siddharthanagar, Mysore- 570 011, India
  • VCP Ramakrishna Defence Food Research Laboratory, Defence Research and Development Organization, Siddharthanagar, Mysore- 570 011, India
  • PE Patki Defence Food Research Laboratory, Defence Research and Development Organization, Siddharthanagar, Mysore- 570 011, India
  • AD Semwal Defence Food Research Laboratory, Defence Research and Development Organization, Siddharthanagar, Mysore- 570 011, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/sja.v18i1.48385

Keywords:

Conventional vegetables, Microbial safety, Nutrition, Organic vegetables, Toxic residues

Abstract

Vegetables are defined as edible plant parts generally consumed raw or cooked with a main dish, in a mixed dish, as an appetizer or as a salad. Food safety aspects related to microbial quality (total plate count, yeast and mold and food borne pathogens) and toxic residue (heavy metals) and mineral content were investigated for vegetables such as green leafy vegetable, salad vegetables, sprouts, brinjal, green chilies and French beans collected from organic and conventional outlets from Mysore region, Karnataka, India. Microbial analysis was carried out using standard procedures and mminerals (Ca, K, Fe, Cu, Mg, Mn and Zn) and heavy metals (Cd and Pb) were determined. Significant variations (p>0.05) were observed for microbial quality among organic and conventional vegetables. Mineral and vitamin C content were also significantly higher (p>0.01) in organic samples. Heavy metal contamination for lead and cadmium tested positive for conventional samples while organic samples tested negative. The variables that contributed most for the variability were heavy metal contamination, mineral and vitamin C content. Organically grown vegetables were free from heavy metals and safe for consumption, as well as they are rich in mineral and vitamin C content in comparison to conventional samples.

SAARC J. Agri., 18(1): 99-116 (2020)

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Published

2020-07-25

How to Cite

Xavier, J., Mythri, V., Nagaraj, R., Ramakrishna, V., Patki, P., & Semwal, A. (2020). Organic Versus Conventional – a Comparative Study on Quality and Nutritive Value of Selected Vegetable Crops of Southern India. SAARC Journal of Agriculture, 18(1), 99–116. https://doi.org/10.3329/sja.v18i1.48385

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