Katuk facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Katuk |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Sauropus
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| Species: |
androgynus
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| Synonyms | |
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List
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Sauropus androgynus, also known as katuk, star gooseberry, or sweet leaf, is a shrub grown in some tropical regions as a leaf vegetable. In Chinese it is called mani cai (马尼菜); in Japan it is called amame shiba (アマメシバ); in Malay it is called cekur manis, sayur manis, asin-asin or cangkok manis (in Bruneian malay); in Thai it is called pak waan (or pak waan ban to distinguish it from Melientha suavis, a completely different plant); in Indonesia, it is called katuk; in Vietnamese, it is called rau ngót; in the Philippines, it is called Chinese Malunggay and in Kerala, India it is called madhura cheera or "Singapore Cheera(Singapore spinach)"
Its multiple upright stems can reach 2.5 meters high and bear dark green oval leaves 5–6 cm long.
It is one of the most popular leafy vegetables in South Asia and Southeast Asia and is notable for high yields and palatability. The shoot tips have been sold as tropical asparagus. In Vietnam, the locals cook it with crab meat, minced pork or dried shrimp to make soup. In Malaysia, it is commonly stir-fried with egg or dried anchovies. The flowers and small purplish fruits of the plant have also be eaten In Indonesia, the leaves of the plant are used to make infusion, believed to improve the flow of breast milk for breastfeeding mothers.
It is a good source of vitamin K. However, a study has suggested that excessive consumption of juiced Katuk leaves (due to its popularity for body weight control in Taiwan in the mid '90s) can cause lung damage, due to its high concentrations of the alkaloid papaverine.
It also has high level of provitamin A carotenoids, especially in freshly picked leaves, as well as high levels of vitamins B and C, protein and minerals. The more the leaves mature, the higher the nutrient content of the leaves.
It is common in evergreen forest and cultivated up to 1,300 m.
Medical
Consumption of Sauropus androgynus has been reported as being associated with bronchiolitis obliterans.
The leaves are safe to eat in large quantities only after being cooked as heat seems to denature the toxin.
Nutrition
Sauropus is a good source of β-carotene α- and β-carotenes are partly metabolized into vitamin A. It is rich in Vitamin C providing more than 100% of the Daily Value (DV) per 100 g serving of (288% DV), Iron (23% DV) and Zinc (10% DV). However, the high levels of polyphenols, such as tannin, inhibit the absorption of Zn and Fe.
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
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| Energy | 245 kJ (59 kcal) |
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11 g
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1 g
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Protein
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4.8 g
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| Vitamins | Quantity
%DV†
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| Vitamin A | 10370 IU |
| Thiamine (B1) |
9%
0.1 mg |
| Vitamin C |
288%
239 mg |
| Minerals | Quantity
%DV†
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| Calcium |
20%
204 mg |
| Iron |
23%
3 mg |
| Phosphorus |
14%
98 mg |
| Potassium |
15%
457 mg |
| Sodium |
2%
25 mg |
| Zinc |
10%
.94 mg |
| Other constituents | Quantity |
| Water | 91.4 g |
| †Percentages estimated using US recommendations for adults. | |
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Leaves and fruits Sauropus androgynus
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Sauropus androgynus
See also
In Spanish: Sauropus androgynus para niños
