Optimal exploitation of leaf carotene

Leaves are an important source of β carotene (provitamin A) and their more extensive use, as vegetables cooked in the conventional manner, would do much to diminish the still widespread occurrence of vitamin A deficiency. When leaves are used on the domestic scale, their value could be enhanced by avoiding collection in the middle of the day, when they contain least carotene, and by collecting them from those parts of a plant where they contain most carotene. More leaf carotene would become available if the normal procedure were complemented by use of extracted leaf protein. This compact food is particularly valuable in infant feeding. Leaf protein can be extracted from unpalatable leaves which give very large yields. To ensure that extracted leaf protein retains its carotene, various simple precautions have to be observed.

RESP-10426