Abstract

In this study, the chemical and composition of some natural aromatic and medicinal plants from Wadi Al-Shati, Libya, was investigated using standard methods in order to evaluate the benefits of these plants which are considered as a good source of many food requirements. Chemical analyses showed that the percentage of moisture content, crude protein, crude fat, total carbohydrate content, total ash content, acidity and pH in thyme leaves based on dry weight were (10.5%, 7.32%, 1.920%, 67.58%, 10.68%, 0.256%, 6.65 respectively) and in black pepper were (7.04%, 13.84%, 0.260%, 73.41%, 5.45%, 0.128%, 6.97 respectively) while in red pepper has been (9.07%, 12.40%, 0.940%, 67.37%, 10.22%, 0.256%, 5.59 respectively) but in ginger roots was (8.91%, 7.19%, 0.573%, 78.96%, 4.37% ,0.123%, 5.34 respectively) and the concentrations of major mineral elements calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium it has been found in thyme as (104.23 mg/g, 33.50 mg/g, 50.77 mg/g, 57.03 mg/g respectively) but in black pepper it was (120.27 mg/g, 62.53 mg/g, 28.50 mg/g, 76.80 mg/g respectively) while in red pepper sample it was (16.13 mg/g, 57.83 mg/g, 59.67 mg/g, 99.83 mg/g respectively). In ginger roots it was found (16.50 mg/g, 38.80 mg/g, 72.97 mg/g, 51.40 mg/g respectively), whereas the amount of heavy mineral elements (lead, cadmium and copper) has been found in Thyme (0.01 mg/g, 0.0133 mg/g, 0.015 mg/g respectively), and in black pepper it was (0.015 mg/g, 0.0667 mg/g, 0.02 mg/g respectively), and in red pepper it has been found (0.0133 mg/g, 0.0017 mg/g, 0.023 mg/g respectively) whereas in ginger roots it was (0.0667 mg/g, 0.05 mg/g, 0.0233 mg/g respectively). The results of this study showed that these plants has a high nutritional value, and considered as essential components performing many important activities in the body.