Study on nutraceutical properties of different cultivars Ipomoea aquatica Forsskal (‘Chunbai’ and ‘Liulv’) in an eutrophic water body

Ipomoea aquatica Forsskal is a fast-growing aquatic economic plant and has been applied widely to purify eutrophic water, but little is known about the edible safety of it for humans or animals. The main purpose of our research was to assess the metal (copper, zinc, lead, cadmium and chromium) concentration and nutritional quality in the edible part of I. aquatica Forsskal (‘Chunbai’ and ‘Liulv’) growing in eutrophic water. The results showed that all levels of these metals were within the acceptable levels in our present studies, and the metal accumulating potential varied mainly depending upon levels of metal contamination in the water body in which they were growing. In the present investigation, nitrate content (NO₃–N) had no significant differences between ‘Chunbai’ and ‘Liulv’, but had significant differences (p < 0.001) between eutrophic water and Hoagland nutrient solution. Soluble protein, soluble sugar, and vitamin C content were affected greatly by variety and solution (treatments). The soluble protein and vitamin C content in ‘Liulv’ were one time higher but the soluble sugar content was one time lower than that in ‘Chunbai.’ The soluble protein and soluble sugar of plants cultivated in nutrient solutions were one time lower than that in eutrophic water. In addition, the vitamin C content of plants grown in Hoagland nutrient solution was approximately two times higher than that in eutrophic water. The possible utilization of these aquatic vegetables to meet the demands of food and health perspectives for consumers is discussed.