Physicochemical Composition of Ramie Leaves (Boehmeria nivea L.)

We quantitated the major chemical components of ramie leaves (Boehmeria nivea L.) powder. The proximate compositions (all w/w) was 5.42% moisture, 28.15% crude protein, 6.95% crude fat, 15.27% crude ash, and 54.79% carbohydrate, respectively. The total, insoluble, and soluble dietary fiber contents were , , and , respectively. The major free sugars were glucose, galactose and lactose. Seventeen amino acids were isolated. Essential amino acids constituted 44.65% of the total. When free amino acid levels were evaluated, 25 kinds of components were detected, of which 18.15% were essential. Only caproic acid methyl ester and pentadecanoic acid were detected when fatty acid examined. The contents of vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin C were 0.0194 mg%, 0.0184 mg%, and 0.1833 mg%, respectively. The mineral contents of were in order of Cu