Nutritional properties and feeding values of Hibiscus sabdariffa and their products

Abstract This chapter explored the nutritional properties and feeding values of Hibiscus sabdariffa and their products. Essentially, Roselle is a medicinal plant with a global fame and is estimated to have more than 300 species distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. Roselle known as functional foods contains significant levels of active biological components, mainly anthocyanins, flavonoids, vitamins, and polyphenolic acids, which provide specific health benefits to humans beyond the traditional nutrients. Many parts of Roselle including seeds, leaves, fruits, and roots are used in various foods as well as in herbal medicine as a potential nonpharmacological treatment. Roselle is primarily cultivated commercially for its calyx, which comes in three types: red, green, and dark red. Products produced from Roselle include Roselle tea, Roselle powder, Roselle tablets, Roselle juice, Roselle extracts, Roselle jam, and Roselle seed oil, among others.