The Nutrient Contents of Six Fig Species and Its Evaluation as Woody Vegetables

Fig trees (Ficus spp.)are the keystone species in tropical rainforest in Xishuangbanna, Southwest China. Some species of fig trees are important vegetable resources in the area. The contents of vitamin, mineral element and trace element, protein and amino acids of tender leaves and branches of six species of fig trees used as wild vegetables by indigene people are reported. The contents of vitamin E in six fig species are higher than that of Toona sinensis, a common woody vegetable consumed by Chinese. The contents of riboflavin in five are higher than that of T. sinensis. The content of thiamin of Ficus vasculosa reaches 29.48 mg ·kg^-1 in dry weight. The contents of mineral and trace elements in six are higher than that of T. sinensis. The contents of calcium in five are 0.31%-1.19% in dry weight. The content of selenium of F. auriculata is 0.838 mg·kg^-1 in dry weight, which is rich in selenium. The contents of protein in six species are 23.21%²7.78% in dry weight, which is higher than that of T.sinensis (21.33%). The scores of ratio coefficient(SRC)of amino acid in six species in accord with WHO/FAO reference model of essential amino acid are 69.16⁹5.98, the SRC in five are higher than 80, SRC of four species higher than that of T.sinensis. The quality of six fig trees as woody vegetable is far superior to that of T. sinensis.