Brinjal Composition

Though the level of bioactive components may depend on the cultivar

(Nothmann, 1986; Zaro, 2014), fruit proximate composition remains fairly
constant across genotypes.
Water is by far the most abundant components with more than 90% of the
total fruit weight. Fiber is particularly abundant (3%) compared to other
foods and even to other vegetable sources. Proteins and lipids are present
at very low levels.
The major sugars are glucose and fructose which range between 0.8% and
1.5%. Sucrose and maltose are present but in low concentration (Rodriguez
et al., 1999).
Organic acids found at relatively low levels and are more abundant in the
outer pulp (near to the peel) as opposed to sugars which are more prevalent
in the inner flesh (Zaro et al., 2014a). As for other vegetables, eggplant has
low energy density (25 and 19 cal per 100 g of raw and cooked fruit,
respectively).
• The fruit has moderate levels of most vitamins and minerals but
are relatively rich in potassium.
• The berries are low in sodium and have no cholesterol. Similarly
to other Solanaceous species, eggplants were at once believed to
be poisonous due to the presence of steroidal glycoalkaloids.
• Recent studies have indicated that low intakes of some
glycoal-kaloids may exert some potentially benecial effects such
as the inhibition of some types of cancerous cells and the
formation of complexes with cholesterol (Mennella et al., 2010;
Sánchez-Mata et al., 2010).
• Solasonine and solamargine, the main eggplants alkaloids are
normally present at nontoxic concentrations (Mennella et al.,
2010), but may confer bitter taste (Sánchez-Mata etal., 2010).
• In the last years, eggplants have received higher interest due
to their high levels of bioactive compounds. In a study
evaluating the antioxidant capacity of different fresh
vegetables, eggplants ranked within the top 10 (Cao et al.,
1996). Eggplant extracts inhibited inflammation and
radical-mediated pathogenesis, carcinogenesis, and
atherosclerosis (Han et al., 2003; Matsubara et al., 2005).
High egg-plant intake exerted hepatoprotective
(Akanitapichat et al., 2010) and hypolipidemic effects also
reduced plasma glucose levels in rats (Sudheesh et al., 1997;
Derivi et al., 2002).
❖ Eggplant berries are not particularly rich in ascorbic acid (400–700 mg kg
DW−1) (Zaro, 2014) or carotenoids (40–100 mg kg DW−1) (El-Qudah,
2009). The health-promoting effects have been associated with phenolic
compounds which are particularly abundant (0.5%–1.5% DW) both in the
peel and flesh.
❖ Hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, and mainly free chlorogenic acid (ChA,
5-O-caffeoylquinic acid) is the major phenolic in eggplant (Whitaker and
Stommel, 2003; Concellón et al., 2012). ChA is high at early
developmental stages (20 g kg DW−1) and decreases by 50% at
commercial harvest maturity (80% full size) (Zaro et al., 2014b).
❖ Other forms (3-O-, 4-O-, and 5-O-cis isomers) of caffeoylquinic acid, 3,5-
and 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, amide, and acetyl ester conjugates have
been identified (Whitaker and Stommel, 2003; Prohens et al., 2007).
❖ ChA shows an uneven distribution within the fruit, being more abundant
in the inner pulp than in the outer flesh (near to the peel) where is
mainly associated with fruit fibers and vasculature (Zaro et al., 2014a).
 Production Technology of Brinjal

Varieties
In Brinjal, a large variation in plant types, fruit colour,
shape and size are available. The following are the
recommended varieties in Bangladesh.
i. Uttara
ii. F1 Tarapuri
iii. F1 Suktara
iv. BaARI Begun-4 (Kazla)
v. BARI Begun-5 (Nayantara)
vi. Islampuri
Soil and Climate
❖ A long and warm growing season is desirable for successful
brinjal production. The crop is susceptible to severe frost.
❖ Cool night and short summer are unfavourable to tits
satisfactory growth and development.
❖ A daily mean temperature of 13 to 270C is most favourable
(Bose and Som, 1985).
Seedling raising
❖ In Bangladesh condition brinjal seeds are sown in nursery during
July-August. Sowing of the seed crop should be so adjusted that
maturity does not coincide with rains.
❖ Nursery beds are to be prepared 15-20 cm high with finely
prepared soil mixed with well decomposed farmyard
manure/compost.
❖ Usually the soil mixture for the bed should have one part soil, one
part sand and one part compost.
❖ The standard size of the seed bed should be 1.0 x 3.0 m so that
watering, weeding, mulching and after care become easy. The
common practice is to broadcast seeds in the nursery beds.
❖ But it is preferable to sow the seeds in trays or in seed bed in line.
After 7-10 days of sowing the young seedling should be
transplanted in the second bed at a distance of 2-3 cm in both
ways.
❖ Transplanting at the second bed helps the formation of fibrous
roots which enable the seedlings sturdy and healthy. Uniform
irrigation and mulching after each irrigation should be practiced
to facilitate aeration.
❖ Three to four handful of urea dissolved in 30 litres of water can be
sprinkled in nursery beds after about a fortnight of germination in
order to get healthy and vigorous seedlings.
Seed rate: About 375-500 g of seeds are required for one hectare of
land (Agrawal 1980)
Land preparation
❖ Deep fine loamy soil with a good drainage is most
favourable for the growth of brinjal.
❖ Soil pH should be neutral of slightly acidic. The land should
be thoroughly prepared by 4 to 5 ploughings.
❖ Farmyard manure or compost should be incorporated into
the soil during 1st ploughing. Beds of suitable size are
prepared after the land is well leveled.
❖ Manures and Fertilizers
❖ Balanced application of manures and fertilizers is very
important for a successful crop. Brinjal being a long duration
crop requires a good amount of manures and fertilizers.
❖ The Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council has
recommended 15-20 ton s organic manures, 375 kg Urea,
150 kg TSP and 250 kg MoP for Brinjal.
❖ The entire amount of organic manures and TSP and half of
MoP are to be applied during land preparation.
❖ The remaining half MoP and entire urea are to be applied in
three equal installments, 1st at 15 days after planting, 2nd at
flowering and the 3rd at peak harvesting.
Planting
❖ The seedlings are ready for planting when they attain a
height of 15 cm with 4-5 leaves in 4-6 weeks. Seedlings are
planted on raised bed which provides good drainage.
❖ The planting distance depends on the fertility status of the
soil, growing season and variety.
❖ According to Chauhan (1981) brinjal plants are planted at 60
x 45 cm in case of long varieties, at 75x60 cm and 90 x 90 cm
in case of round and high yielding cultivars respectively.
Irrigation
❖ Irrigation is essential for brinjal cultivation in regions where
there is little or no rains during the growing season.
❖ Brinjal being a shallow rooted crop needs irrigation at
frequent intervals.
❖ Yawalkar (1969) opined that irrigation should be according
to local needs. However, the field should be irrigated every
10-12 days during the winter.
❖ Every irrigation should be followed with mulching to
facilitate good aeration.
Harvesting and Yield
❖ The fruits become ready for first picking in about 120-130 days of
seed sowing depending on the variety. The harvesting of the
fruits should be done as soon as it attains a good size and colour.
❖ Fruits are harvested when they become greenish yellow or
bronze and their flesh turns dry and tough.
❖ Pressing the thumb against the side of the fruit can indicate the
maturity of the fruit. If the pressed portion springs back to its
original shape, the fruit is too immature.
❖ Some portion of the calyx and the stem-end is retained on the
fruit during harvesting. Since all the fruits do not mature at the
same time, the fruits are harvested at an interval of 8-10 days.
Yield
❖ Depending on variety and season the average yield of brinjal
varies from 20-30 t/ha.