Abstract
Terminalia ferdinandiana (Kakadu plum) is a native Australian fruit. Industrial processing of T. ferdinandiana fruits into puree generates seeds as a by-product, which are generally discarded. The aim of our present study was to process the seed to separate the kernel and determine its nutritional composition. The proximate, mineral and fatty acid compositions were analysed in this study. Kernels are composed of 35% fat, while proteins account for 32% dry weight (DW). The energy content and fiber were 2065 kJ/100 g and 21.2% DW, respectively. Furthermore, the study showed that kernels were a very rich source of minerals and trace elements, such as potassium (6693 mg/kg), calcium (5385 mg/kg), iron (61 mg/kg) and zinc (60 mg/kg) DW, and had low levels of heavy metals. The fatty acid composition of the kernels consisted of omega-6 fatty acid, linoleic acid (50.2%), monounsaturated oleic acid (29.3%) and two saturated fatty acids namely palmitic acid (12.0%) and stearic acid (7.2%). The results indicate that T. ferdinandiana kernels have the potential to be utilized as a novel protein source for dietary purposes and non-conventional supply of linoleic, palmitic and oleic acids.
Highlights
Terminalia is the second-largest genus of the combretaceae family, with approximately 250 species growing in tropical and subtropical countries around the world [1]
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on the nutritional composition of
The present study indicated that the kernels contain high levels of protein and lipid
Summary
Terminalia is the second-largest genus of the combretaceae family, with approximately 250 species growing in tropical and subtropical countries around the world [1]. More than 30 species of Terminalia occur in northern regions of Australia [2]. More than 50 species of Terminalia have found utility as ingredients in foods and beverages worldwide, as preservatives, raw material for wine and palm sugar, eaten raw and as food supplements [3]. The nutritional and therapeutic properties of Terminalia genus can be attributed to the presence of a wide range of phytochemicals, such as phenolic compounds, which encompasses phenolic acids, gallotannins, ellagitannins, proanthocyanidins and other flavonoids [3]. Terminalia ferdinandiana, popularly known as Kakadu plum, is native to Australia.
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