10 March 2020
A recent study conducted by the Environmental Protection and Development Authority in Ras Al-Khaimah and published by the Asian Journal of Science and Technology soon revealed high levels of major minerals in Ghaf tree leaves at rates estimated to be twice that of trees and vegetables known to be rich in these minerals, especially spinach, lettuce, arugula, etc. This study is prepared, according to Dr. Saif Mohammed Al-Ghais, Director-General of the Authority, the first of its kind regarding the nutritional value of the tree.
He explained that the study was among the three studies that the authority had accomplished during the first period related to the Ghaf tree and its nutritional value, while the second study specialized in measuring proteins in 5 local fish, and the third study was conducted on some marine algae.
He added: For the first time, the Ghaf tree reveals its secrets that were not known in the past, but the people, by their instinct, guided their value and importance in the past and made sure to eat their leaves as food, pointing out that the study found that the leaves of the tree contain potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron and sulfur in large quantities and not Familiar in vegetables known to man and defined by scientific references and periodicals as rich in these minerals that are useful in treating many diseases, foremost of which is pressure and anemia.
He continued: Compared to lettuce and spinach, the highest vegetables contain these elements, it was found that Ghaf leaves contain twice as much as these plants. For example, Ghaf contains 0.60 potassium, while lettuce contains 0.062 and spinach 0.064, and in the rest of the minerals there is a great variation in These proportions, which confirm the importance of the tree and the possibility of its use in the production of medicinal drugs in the future.
EPDA also conducted a study on marine algae that grows in the Persian Gulf and the possibility of using it as an important food product, especially what is known as "nano chloro opis", which is very small algae and has many food and industrial uses such as cosmetics, pointing out that the authority is currently raising these algae Inside the laboratory using carbon dioxide and sea water.
As for the third study conducted on the fish sector, it is related to the percentage of proteins in it. It revealed that capillary fish is the highest containing proteins among the 5 other types included in the study.
He continued: The first and second studies were documented and published in scientific periodicals, and the first study related to packaging is on its way to publish after being permitted in the Asian Science and Technology Journal.
Mohammed Salah ( Al Ittihad )