International Journal of Food Properties

ISSN: 1094-2912 (Print) 1532-2386 (Online) Journal homepage: https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/ljfp20

Geometric Characteristics and Chemical

Composition of Okra (Hibiscus esculentus L.) Grown
Under Semi-arid Conditions

I. M. Makhadmeh & Khalil I. Ereifej

To cite this article: I. M. Makhadmeh & Khalil I. Ereifej (2004) Geometric Characteristics and
Chemical Composition of Okra (Hibiscus�esculentus L.) Grown Under Semi-arid Conditions,
International Journal of Food Properties, 7:1, 83-90, DOI: 10.1081/JFP-120022983

To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1081/JFP-120022983

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 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD PROPERTIES
Vol. 7, No. 1, pp. 83–90, 2004

Geometric Characteristics and Chemical

Composition of Okra (Hibiscus esculentus L.)
Grown Under Semi-arid Conditions

I. M. Makhadmeh* and Khalil I. Ereifej

Faculty of Agriculture, Jordan University of Science and Technology,

Irbid, Jordan

ABSTRACT

A Landrace and seven foreign genotypes of okra (Hibiscus esculentus L.) were
grown in a randomized complete block design at Jordan University of Science and
Technology (JUST) Experimental Station in northern Jordan during the 1997 and
1998 growing seasons. The pods were studied for their physical properties,
chemical composition, and mineral content. Geometric characteristics of okra
fruits were significantly influenced by genotypes. Mosel and Steen had higher
protein content than the Landrace, being 23.19, 22.43, and 19.96% respectively.
The average fruit mass of different genotypes showed a trend similar to that found
in fruit volume; Vigorpak had the highest fruit mass and volume, whereas Mosel
had the lowest. Number of pods per plant showed very wide range for all
genotypes, which ranged between 17 and 31. Data demonstrated that the vari-
ability within individual okra genotypes may be was due to environmental effects.
High variability was observed in chemical composition among different genotypes.
However, the genotype having high carbohydrate content showed low fiber
content. All mineral contents (Ca, Na, Cu, Mn, Zn, Mg, P, and K) varied signifi-
cantly among the genotypes except for Fe content, which showed no significant
differences between genotypes. Mosel genotype was found superior in its mineral
contents, whereas other genotypes might be considered good source for proteins,

*Correspondence: I. M. Makhadmeh, Faculty of Agriculture, Jordan University of Science

and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid, Jordan; E-mail: ibrahimm@just.edu.jo.

83

DOI: 10.1081=JFP-120022983 1094-2912 (Print); 1532-2386 (Online)

Copyright # 2004 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. www.dekker.com
 ORDER REPRINTS

84 Makhadmeh and Ereifej

fiber, carbohydrate and minerals. The investigated genotypes seem to be a good

source of minerals for human diet. The variation in mineral contents is probably
due to genotype, environment and=or genotype environment interaction.

Key Words: Okra, Hibiscus esculentus; Chemical composition; Mineral;

Geometric characteristics.

INTRODUCTION

Okra (Hibiscus esculentus L.) is a warm season vegetable crop widely grown
throughout the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world.[12,15] Okra is grown
primarily for the immature fruits to be used as fresh green, frozen, canned or in the
dry state. In Jordan, okra is widely grown and has increasing production area 5874.2
dunum in 1999.[2] The Landrace is widely used in the Jordanian cultivation.
However, other genotypes are very limited in Jordan due to consumer preferability.
There has been a lack in information about geometric characteristics, chemical
composition of Landrace and foreign cultivars as well. The most recent informa-
tion’s about okra nutritional value are those dealing with seed as a new source of
protein.[11] Analysis of okra seed meal from which the oil had been extracted with
hexane showed values for crude protein, 13.56%; fat, 1.92%; carbohydrate, 31.5%;
ash, 8.19%; CaO, 0.37%; P2O5, 3.47%; and thiamine, 4.72–5.78 mg g 1.[7] Analysis of
the okra seed hulls found to have crude protein, 12.33%; ash, 3.83%; CaO, 0.27%;
and P2O5, 0.76%.[7] Other workers concentrated on the dietary fiber[1] showing the
importance of fiber in human diet and health. The objectives of this study were to
investigate the chemical composition, geometric characteristics and mineral contents
of a Landrace and seven okra genotypes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Plant Material and Cultural Practices

This investigation was carried out at Jordan University of Science and Technol-
ogy (JUST) Experimental Station in northern Jordan. A Landrace and seven foreign
genotypes were used in this study. Landrace, Pakistani, Mosel, Bonanza, Modesto,
Steen, Ohlsenseke, and Asgrow Vigorpak okra seeds provided by JUST Experi-
mental Station were grown on 4 m long rows and 90 cm wide at 30 cm spacing during
the 1997 and 1998 growing seasons. All okra genotypes were arranged in a
randomized complete block design with three replications. After complete emer-
gence, plants were thinned to two plants. Irrigation, fertilization, insect and disease
control were followed as recommended for commercial farming.
The okra pods (fruits) were collected during the growing season (5 days after
anthesis), total yield ton ha 1, yield gm plant 1, number of pods (1000 ha 1)
number of pods plant 1, and average pod weight were recorded. Ten pods were
randomly taken from each plot in each harvesting time, data were recorded, and the
means were computed to obtain average pod length, mass, diameter, and volume.
 ORDER REPRINTS

Geometric Characteristics and Chemical Composition of Okra 85

The 10 pods from each plot were cut, mixed together and dried at 80 C, and sent to
the laboratory for analysis.

Chemical Analysis

A sample of 100 g from each replication were grounded to pass a 0.5 mm screen
using a Cycotec mill and used for chemical and mineral analysis. Moisture, crude
protein (N  6.25), crude fat, fiber, and ash contents were determined according to
standard procedures.[3] Carbohydrate content was calculated by difference. Phos-
phorus was determined colormetrically.[20] Concentration of Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Na, K,
Mg, and Ca were determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Pye
Unicam, model SP9, UK) after wet digestion with a mixture of nitric, sulfuric, and
perchloric acid (10 : 1 : 4) as described previously.[9]

Statistical Analysis

The collected data were subjected to analysis of variance as randomized complete

block design and means were separated according to least significant differences (LSD
P  0.05) to determine the significance in differences between the means.[19]

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Data on physical characteristics of okra fruits are presented in Table 1. The

analysis of variance revealed that total yield, as well as total yield ton ha 1, yield
gm plant 1, number of pods 1000 ha 1, number of pods plant 1, average pod weight,
average pod length, diameter, and volume were significantly different and were
influenced by genotypes.
Fruit length has been classified by the International Board for Plant Genetic
Resources (IBPGR) into three classes: less than 7 cm, 8–15 cm, and more than 15 cm.[5]
Fruit length of okra genotypes exhibited a wide variation ranged from 3.34 to 7.78 cm.
Landrace, Mosel, Bonanza, Modesto, and Ohlsenseke fruits were less than 7 cm in
length but Pakistani, Steen, and Asgrow Vigorpak had more than 7 cm. Pod length is
genetically controlled, which did not change irrespective of the environment.[14]
The average fruit diameter was varied significantly among genotypes. At the
edible age, 5 days from anthesis, fruit diameter ranged from 1.13 to 2.62 cm. The
Landrace was the smallest whereas Asgrow Vigorpak had the largest fruit diameter,
which is not preferable by Jordanian consumer. Pod width of okra cultivars is used
to distinguish okra genotypes.[18] The variation in okra pod width indicated that the
immature fruit diameter is quantitatively inherited with few genes involved in
controlling this trait.[16]
As shown from (Table 1), the average fruit mass of okra genotypes showed a
similar trend to that found for fruit volume, Vigorpak had the highest fruit mass and
volume whereas Mosel had the lowest. On the other hand, no large differences
were detected among other okra genotypes in regard of fruit volume and mass.
Baladi variety in Egypt produced small pods with low weight, which preferred by
consumer.[6]
 86

Table 1. Fruit geometric properties, yield and yield components of okra genotypes.a

Length Mass Diameter Volume Yield wt Number of pods Yield Pods

Genotypes (cm) (gm) (cm) (cm3) (ton ha 1) (1000 ha 1) (g plant 1) (plant 1)
Landrace 5.79 bc* 3.56 c 1.13 d 4.90 c 7.2 d 1390 a 119.0 d 23 b
Pakistani 7.50 ab 5.08 bc 1.22 cd 6.52 bc 9.5 bc 1876 a 159.1 bc 31 a
Mosel 3.34 d 3.16 c 1.48 b 4.20 c 7.2 d 1447 a 122.2 d 17 c
ORDER

Bonanza 5.21 c 4.97 c 1.32 bcd 6.65 bc 11.2 ab 1740 a 185.8 ab 29 a

Modesto 5.16 c 4.20 c 1.23 cd 5.93 c 12.1 a 1825 a 202.2 a 30 a
Steen 7.19 ab 7.55 ab 1.39 bc 10.10 ab 12.4 a 1824 a 209.2 a 31 a
Ohlsensenke 4.76 cd 4.27 c 1.23 cd 6.10 c 11.2 ab 1726 a 186.0 ab 29 a
Vigorpak 7.78 a 7.99 a 2.62 a 11.50 a 8.9 cd 1388 a 149.8 cd 23 b
REPRINTS

SEb 0.826 1.186 0.109 1.71 0.849 239.16 14.49 2.01

LSD P < 0.05 1.772 2.543 0.233 3.659 1.82 513 30.95 4.32
a
Values are average of three replications.
b
Standard error.
*Means followed by the same letter are not significantly different at P  0.05.
Makhadmeh and Ereifej
 ORDER REPRINTS

Geometric Characteristics and Chemical Composition of Okra 87

Table 2. Protein, fat, fiber, ash, carbohydrate, and moisture contents of okra genotypes (%
on dry-weight basis).a

Genotypes Ash Fiber Fat Protein CHO Moisture

Landrace 9.31 b* 18.21 b 2.573 cd 19.96 c 49.95 b 83.5 a
Pakistani 10.35 a 21.56 ab 1.858 e 18.86 c 47.37 bc 81.3 a
Mosel 10.72 a 20.85 ab 2.316 de 23.19 a 42.93 d 82.0 a
Bonanza 9.30 b 20.93 ab 1.935 de 20.21 bc 47.62 bc 84.1 a
Modesto 8.53 c 22.34 a 4.187 a 18.72 c 46.23 bcd 83.1 a
Steen 8.65 c 22.05 ab 3.205 bc 22.43 ab 43.66 cd 84.9 a
Ohlsensenke 8.67 c 20.85 ab 3.405 b 19.92 c 47.16 bcd 82.3 a
Vigorpak 8.61 c 8.76 c 3.381 b 18.88 c 60.36 a 87.1 a
SEb 0.2658 1.878 0.3316 1.138 2.026 2.76
LSD P < 0.05 0.5702 4.028 0.7113 2.440 4.346 5.93
a
Values are average of three replications.
b
Standard error.
*Means followed by the same letter are not significantly different at P  0.05.

Okra pods are sold based on number instead of weight in African markets.[14]
Number of pods per plant showed significant differences among genotypes and the
average pods per plant ranged from 17 (Mosel) to 31 (Pakistani) and Steen (Table 1).
For each genotype, number of pods per plant showed very wide range for all genotypes.
That variability within individuals may be due to environmental effects. Number of
pods per plant showed low heritability estimate, which support the environmental
factors affect number of pods per plant.[4]
Significant differences in yield (per plant) were detected among different
genotypes. The average yield per plant ranged from 119 g (Landrace) to 209.2 g
(Steen). The Steen genotype gave the highest average yield per plant followed by
Modesto genotype 202.2 g. The lowest value was 119 and 122.2 for Landrace and
Mosel respectively. This variation may be attributed to environment, genotype,
and=or genotype environment interaction. Yield of pods had a positive and signifi-
cant association with the number of pods per plant.[17] The pod yield per plant was
based on number of pods per plant and weight in gram per pod.[6]
High variability was observed in chemical composition among different geno-
types under investigation (Table 2). Mosel and Steen had higher protein content than
the Landrace, being 23.19, 22.43, and 19.96% respectively. It was found that Mosel
and Steen had 3.2 and 2.4% more protein content than the values were previously
reported.[13]
The fat content varied significantly among genotypes, it ranged from 4.19% for
Modesto to 1.86% for Pakistani. All genotypes had higher fat content than those
values reported on okra.[13] Ash content varied significantly among different okra
genotypes, being 8.53 (Modesto) and 10.72% (Mosel).
As shown in Table 2, there was a significant variation among genotypes in their
fiber content, being 8.78 (Vigorpak)–22.34% (Modesto). All genotypes except
Vigorpak had higher fiber content than those reported earlier.[13] Our results are
in agreement with previous reports about differences in fiber content among okra
genotypes.[10] Fiber content in okra fruit is an important quality attribute where
 88

Table 3. Mineral content (mg=100 g) of okra pods (on dry-weight basis).a

Genotypes Mn Fe Cu Zn Na K Mg Ca P
Landrace 4.256 b* 12.7 a 1.6 ab 8.2 b 43.8 b 3051 bc 428.3 b 1120 c 497.8 bcd
Pakistani 4.602 b 34.4 a 1.5 ab 7.9 b 43.3 b 2908 cde 519.1 a 1639 a 488.9 cd
Mosel 5.777 a 14.6 a 1.7 a 11.6 a 65.8 a 3620 a 542.4 a 1460 b 593.5 ab
ORDER

Bonanza 4.362 b 11.7 a 1.3 ab 8.2 b 53.1 ab 3253 b 446.3 b 1272 bc 579.3 abc
Modesto 3.289 c 14.1 a 1.6 ab 8.3 b 55.5 ab 2876 cde 415.9 b 1125 c 609.1 a
Steen 4.351 b 13.0 a 1.1 b 8.5 b 66.2 a 2932 cd 446.2 b 1206 bc 502.9 bcd
Ohlsensenke 3.799 bc 13.9 a 1.3 ab 7.6 b 48.3 ab 2710 de 401.1 b 1093 c 471.2 d
Vigorpak 3.224 c 25.2 a 1.4 ab 7.8 b 38.7 b 2607 e 386.0 b 1006 c 451.3 d
REPRINTS

SEb 0.4442 11.44 0.27 0.96 8.681 147.55 31.46 124.66 46.508
LSD P < 0.05 0.9528 24.54 0.578 2.07 18.62 316.5 67.48 267.4 99.76
a
Values are average of three replications.
b
Standard error.
*Means followed by the same letter are not significantly different at P  0.05.
Makhadmeh and Ereifej
 ORDER REPRINTS

Geometric Characteristics and Chemical Composition of Okra 89

higher fiber content of a genotype is related to progress in age. The carbohydrate

content also varied significantly among different genotypes; Vigorpak had the
highest carbohydrate content (60.36%) followed by the Landrace (49.95%). On
the other hand, Mosel found to have the lowest carbohydrate content (42.93%) as
compared with other investigated genotypes. All genotypes had lower carbohydrate
content than those values reported on okra.[13] Our results are in agreement with
previous reports that indicated differences in fiber, ash, and carbohydrate contents
among okra cultivars.[8]
The data on Ca, Na, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Mg, P, and K are shown in Table 3. Mineral
content varied significantly among the genotypes except for Fe, which showed no
significant differences among genotypes. However, all genotypes had Fe content
higher than those values reported on okra.[13] Mineral level found to compare very
well with those values reported on okra cultivars. Phosphorus levels ranged from
452.3 (Vigorpak) to 609.1 mg=100 g (Modesto), K concentration varied significantly
and ranged from 2607 (Vigorpak) to 3620 mg=100 g (Mosel), calcium also ranged from
1006 (Vigorpak) to 1639 mg=100 g (Pakistani). Other minerals Mn, Cu, Zn, Na, and
Mg also varied and their ranges were 3.224 (Vigorpak)–5.77 mg=100 g (Mosel); 1.1
(Steen)–1.7 mg=100 g (Mosel); 7.6 (Ohlsensenke)–11.6 mg=100 g (Mosel); 38.7
(Vigorpak)–65.8 mg=100 g (Mosel), and 386 (Vigorpak)–542.4 mg=100 g (Mosel),
respectively. In general the uptake of nutrients by Mosel genotype was higher than
that of other genotypes. This may be because of better adaptation of this genotype
to northern Jordan. Mosel had the highest content of Mn (5.77 mg=100 g), Cu
(1.70 mg=100 g), Zn (11.6 mg=100 g), Na (65.8 mg=100 g), K (3620 mg=100 g), and
Mg (542.4 mg=100 g), whereas Pakistani was the richest in Ca (1639 mg=100 g)
and Modesto had the highest P (609.1 mg=100 g) content. Calcium content was
higher whereas sodium and phosphorus contents were lower than those reported
previously.[13] This might be the starting point for suggesting that the variation
probably attributable to the regional differences (soil, climate, season, species). The
investigated genotypes seem to be a good source of minerals for human diet and any of
these genotypes can be adopted for okra production in the region.

CONCLUSION

Investigated okra Landrace and genotypes grown under semi-arid conditions,

showed significant variation in their geometric characteristics, proximate analysis,
and mineral content. The variation in chemical composition and mineral content is
probably due to genotype, environment and=or genotype environment interaction.
However, Mosel genotype was found superior in its mineral contents, whereas other
genotypes might be considered good source for proteins, fiber, carbohydrate, and
minerals.

REFERENCES

1. Anderson, J.W. Dietary fibers and human health. HortScience 1990, 25 (12),
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 ORDER REPRINTS

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2. Anonymous. Annual Report of Ministry of Agriculture, Amman, Jordan, 2000.

3. AOAC. Official Methods of Analysis; Association of Official Analytical
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4. Ariyo, O.J. Variation and heritability of fifteen character in okra (Hibiscus
esculentus L. Monch). Trop. Agri. (Trindad) 1990, 67 (3), 213–216.
5. Charrier, A. Genetic resources of the genus abelmoschus med (Okra).
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under cover and open field conditions. Al-Azhar. J. Agri. Res. 1987, 8, 53–64.
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Received August 24, 2002

Accepted March 2, 2003
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