International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition

Authors
Sajiv G, Muruganandam C

Abstract
The present investigation was carried out in Tamil Nadu a southern state of India comprised of 38 districts, the survey was conducted to evaluate the knowledge level of consumers about the nutritionally important common purslane crop. Purslane is considered to be a weed in most of the region, but it possesses a high nutraceutical values. It is rich in several nutritionally important phytochemicals and minerals; it is rich in omega-3-fatty acids & omega-6-fatty acids which are helpful in preventing many non-communicable diseases especially cardiovascular diseases. Purslane is an underutilized hidden gem that holds many beneficial properties for humans. The aim of the survey is to oversee the knowledge level of consumers belonging to various age groups, locations and socioeconomic status. A total of 150 respondent were selected for the study randomly through simple random sampling method. Among the respondents, the expected results were fifty per cent of population would have knowledge on purslane, but the results demonstrated that only twenty per cent of the people were known about the crop. The knowledge level of the sample population was estimated through Chi square test, from the Chi square value p value was calculated and found significant so rejected the null hypothesis. From the study, majority of the respondents in the sample had medium level of knowledge followed by low level of knowledge on common purslane. The study recommends nutritionists and horticulturists to utilize the crop for research to provide unswerving information on the cultivation practices of the crop for consumption.